Role of the gut microbiota in the pathogenesis and therapeutic approach to osteoporosis (Review).
- 2025-11-19
- Biomedical reports 24(1)
- Mingyue Ao
- Xing Li
- Chun Xiao
- Yinhua Liu
- Ya Zhang
- Ru Chen
- PubMed: 41356386
- DOI: 10.3892/br.2025.2089
Study Design
- Type
- Review
Osteoporosis (OP) is a chronic systemic metabolic bone disease characterized by an imbalance between bone resorption and bone formation, resulting in a decrease in bone mass and density. Additionally, the deterioration of bone tissue microstructure increases the risk of fracture. This condition not only impairs the quality of life of patients but also threatens their safety. With the gradual aging of the population of China, the incidence of OP has been increasing annually, becoming a major public health issue threatening the health of middle-aged and elderly individuals, particularly women in these age groups. OP has garnered increasing attention due to its high prevalence and severe complications. OP has many triggering factors and a complex pathogenesis, which are currently considered to be related to hormones, the endocrine and immune systems, and gut microbiota (GM). With the continuous development of modern medical research, the association between GM and OP has emerged as a hotspot in the field of orthopedics in recent years. Current evidence confirms that GM can influence systemic regulation through various metabolic pathways, either directly or indirectly, employing a multi-channel, multi-target effect on both preventing and controlling OP. However, current research still faces limitations such as the homogeneity of animal models, insufficient investigation of multi-pathway interactions, and inadequate clinical translational evidence. Future studies should leverage multi-omics technologies to elucidate the GM-bone axis mechanisms in depth, thereby advancing the clinical application of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in the prevention and treatment of OP. The present review summarizes the associations between GM and the development of OP, as well as the application of TCM, probiotics and prebiotics in regulating GM for OP management, aiming to provide novel therapeutic strategies for its clinical prevention and treatment.