Alcohol-Induced Bone Loss Driven by Dysregulated Spatial Distribution of Gut Microbiota and PGD2-IL17 Pathway-Mediated Osteoclast Activation

Haoyu Guo ¹ Bi Yujing ² Gongzi Zhang ³ Shicheng Luo ⁴ Xiaopeng Jia ⁴ Ruifu Yang ² Ye Peng ⁴ Lihai Zhang ^4*

• ¹ School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
• ² State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Academy of Military Medical Science, Beijing, Beijing Municipality, China
• ³ Department of Rehabilitation, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
• ⁴ Department of Orthopaedics, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China

Introduction: Alcohol-induced damage to bone microstructure leads to alcoholic osteoporosis (AOP). While prior studies have demonstrated alcohol's negative impact on bone density, the mechanisms by which alcohol induces osteoporosis through immune pathways, gut microbiota dysbiosis, and metabolic alterations remain insufficiently characterized. Given that alcohol is primarily absorbed in the upper gastrointestinal tract, in this research, we aimed to elucidate the role of spatial distribution disorders in gut microbiota and metabolites in the pathogenesis of alcoholinduced osteoporosis. We further sought to evaluate the potential of microbiota supplementation and targeted immunosuppressants as therapeutic strategies for related bone diseases. Methods: An osteoporosis model using mice was established using alcohol drinking bottles, and bone loss was validated using micro-computed tomography. Segmented intestinal samples and fecal samples were analyzed using 16S rRNA sequencing and metabolomics. Mechanistic studies were conducted by supplementing R. intestinalis, prostaglandin D2 (PGD2), and its specific immune inhibitor, ramatroban. Analytical methods included tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase staining, flow cytometry, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: Alcohol disrupted the spatial complexity of intestinal segments and fecal microbiota in mice, causing metabolic dysregulation and ultimately leading to elevated PGD2 levels. This, in turn, triggered Th17/Treg immune imbalance and osteoclast activation, resulting in bone loss. Supplementation with the probiotic R. intestinalis or inhibition of PGD2 significantly improved bone density and alleviate inflammation. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that alcohol-induced elevation of PGD2 is a key pathogenic factor in AOP. PGD2 accelerates bone loss by promoting osteoclast formation through the activation of Th17 cells.Furthermore, this study highlights the importance of investigating the spatial distribution of gut microbiota and metabolites, providing potential targets and novel strategies for the precise treatment of AOP and other diseases associated with external stimuli.