Progress of linking gut microbiota and musculoskeletal health: casualty, mechanisms, and translational values

Gut Microbes. 2023 Dec;15(2):2263207. doi: 10.1080/19490976.2023.2263207. Epub 2023 Oct 6.

Abstract

The musculoskeletal system is important for balancing metabolic activity and maintaining health. Recent studies have shown that distortions in homeostasis of the intestinal microbiota are correlated with or may even contribute to abnormalities in musculoskeletal system function. Research has also shown that the intestinal flora and its secondary metabolites can impact the musculoskeletal system by regulating various phenomena, such as inflammation and immune and metabolic activities. Most of the existing literature supports that reasonable nutritional intervention helps to improve and maintain the homeostasis of intestinal microbiota, and may have a positive impact on musculoskeletal health. The purpose of organizing, summarizing and discussing the existing literature is to explore whether the intervention methods, including nutritional supplement and moderate exercise, can affect the muscle and bone health by regulating the microecology of the intestinal flora. More in-depth efficacy verification experiments will be helpful for clinical applications.

Keywords: Intestinal microbiota; influence; intervention methods; mechanism; musculoskeletal system.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Gastrointestinal Microbiome* / physiology
  • Homeostasis
  • Humans
  • Inflammation

Grants and funding

The work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 81971775, 82071970, 32000925, 81974342 and 82271612), Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars of Hubei Province (2023AFA109), Guangzhou Science and Technology Program (202002030481), Science and Technology Project of Jianghan University (2022SXZX25), Outstanding Youth Foundation of Jiangsu Province (BK2021551), and the Suzhou Science and Technology Project (SKJY2021041).