Gut Microbiota and Gut-Associated Metabolites (GAMs) in Bone Health

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Background

Observational findings from the last two decades have highlighted that gut microbiota (GM) plays an indispensable role in the regulation of diverse host physiological functions including maintenance of bone health. Accumulating evidence suggests that dysbiosis of the GM is found to be associated with the development of various bone pathologies such as osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), periodontitis, etc. Bone provides structural support and is critical for the movement and safeguarding of vital organs etc. Skeleton manifestations like osteoporosis, RA, etc. are affecting the lives of millions of individuals every year leading to enormous socio-economic burden. Despite the fact that there are various preventive measures available for the management of bone diseases, the number of patients with bone pathologies is still rising. Moreover, the currently available conventional bone loss treatments are not always effective and cause various side effects when used in long run. Therefore, other cheap, safe, and effective alternatives are required. Modulation of GM via dietary interventions such as probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics etc. is recently emerging as one of the most viable options in reducing the severity of various metabolic ailments, including bone pathologies. As a result, understanding the mechanisms underlying microbiota-mediated bone regulation could be crucial in the treatment of bone disorders. One of the mechanisms via which GM regulate bone metabolism is through production of diverse range of gut-associated metabolites (GAMs), particularly short-chain fatty acids, bile acids (predominantly secondary), and polyamines. These metabolites are intermediate or end products of microbial metabolism and could drive bone health either via modulating the bone cells (osteoclasts, osteoblasts & osteocytes) or via modulating the host immune system (innate & adaptive immune cells). Though various studies have reported the potential of GM and GAMs to maintain bone health, nevertheless substantial amount of knowledge is still lacking for exploiting their full translational and clinical applications.

In the current research topic, we welcome various studies that will reveal the association of GM and GAMs with the maintenance of bone health under both physiological and pathophysiological conditions. Studies that will highlight the role of specific GAMs as therapeutic modulations for the management and treatment of bone disorders are encouraged. Promising microbiota-targeted interventions to optimize bone health with future clinical applications is another interesting aspect of the research topic. The research topic thus aims to provide a platform for reporting cutting edge research in related themes leading to substantial progress in our current understanding of the “Gut-Bone” axis.

In this research topic, we encourage the submission of studies related to the following subtopics but not limited to:

 Role of GM in the pathophysiology of bone diseases such as osteoporosis, RA, scoliosis, spondylarthritis, periodontitis, fracture, etc.

 Identification and characterization of several GAMs with potential role in regulation of bone health.

 GAMs as therapeutic modalities for prevention & treatment of bone pathologies.

 Deciphering novel key mechanisms and pathways involved in the nexus between gut microbiota (GAMs) and bone health.

 Developing new animal models to study the association between gut microbiota and bone health.

 Effect of gut microbiota and GAMs on bone cells such as osteoclasts, osteoblasts & osteocytes.

 Dissecting the role of GM and GAMs in Immunoporosis (i.e., immunology of osteoporosis).

 Maintenance of immune homeostasis by gut microbiota (GAMs) in the context of bone health.

 The discovery of novel sources of probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, etc. mediated enhanced bone health.

 Role of specific dysbiosis in bone pathologies with respect to both diagnostic and therapeutic interventions.

 Studies involving metagenomics and metabolomics to delineate the role of gut microbiota and several GAMs in the regulation of bone metabolism.

Keywords: Bone, Gut microbiota, Gut associated metabolites (GAMs), immune system, osteoclasts, osteoblast, osteocytes, cytokines

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

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