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Changes in the composition of gut and vaginal microbiota in patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis
Xueli Yang1, Tian Chang1,2, Qian Yuan1
1Department of Endocrinology of Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Henan Provincial Key Laboratory of Intestinal Microecology and Diabetes Control, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan Provincial People's Hospital of Henan University, Zhengzhou, China.
Background:
Postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMO) is influenced by estrogen metabolism and immune response, which are modulated by several factors including the microbiome and inflammation. Therefore, there is increasing interest in understanding the role of microbiota in PMO.
Objectives:
To investigate variations in gut microbiota (GM) and vaginal microbiota (VM) in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis.
Methods:
A total of 132 postmenopausal women were recruited for the study and divided into osteoporosis (n = 34), osteopenia (n = 47), and control (n = 51) groups based on their T score. The serum levels of interleukin (IL)-10, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and lipopolysaccharide-binding protein were determined via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Additionally, 16S rRNA gene V3-V4 region sequencing was performed to investigate the GM and VM of the participants.
Results:
Significant differences were observed in the microbial compositions of fecal and vaginal samples between groups (p < 0.05). It was noted that for GM, Romboutsia, unclassified_Mollicutes, and Weissella spp. were enriched in the control group, whereas the abundances of Fusicatenibacter, Lachnoclostridium, and Megamonas spp. were higher in the osteoporosis group than in the other groups. Additionally, for VM, Lactobacillus was enriched in the control group, whereas the abundances of Peptoniphilus, Propionimicrobium, and Gallicola spp. were higher in the osteoporosis group than in the other groups. The predicted functional capacities of GM and VM were different in the various groups. We also found that the serum level of IL-10 in the osteoporosis group was significantly lower than that in the control group and osteopenia group, while TNF-α was significantly higher in the osteoporosis group than that in the control group (p < 0.05).
Conclusion:
The results show that changes in BMD in postmenopausal women are associated with the changes in GM and VM; however, changes in GM are more closely correlated with PMO than VM.
Insights
Changes in gut and vaginal microbiota are linked to postmenopausal osteoporosis. Gut microbiota alterations show a stronger correlation with the condition than vaginal microbiota, suggesting a key role in bone density changes.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Immunology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMO) is influenced by estrogen metabolism and immune responses.
- The microbiome and inflammation are key modulators of these processes.
- Understanding the role of microbiota in PMO is of growing scientific interest.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate variations in gut microbiota (GM) and vaginal microbiota (VM) in postmenopausal women.
- To compare microbial compositions across osteoporosis, osteopenia, and control groups.
Main Methods:
- Recruited 132 postmenopausal women, categorized into osteoporosis (n=34), osteopenia (n=47), and control (n=51) groups.
- Measured serum levels of IL-10, TNF-α, and lipopolysaccharide-binding protein.
- Utilized 16S rRNA gene sequencing for GM and VM analysis.
Main Results:
- Significant differences in fecal and vaginal microbial compositions were observed between groups (p < 0.05).
- Specific bacterial genera (e.g., Fusicatenibacter, Lachnoclostridium) were enriched in the osteoporosis group's GM, while others (e.g., Romboutsia) were enriched in controls.
- Vaginal microbiota showed enrichment of Peptoniphilus, Propionimicrobium, and Gallicola in the osteoporosis group, contrasting with Lactobacillus in controls.
- Lower serum IL-10 and higher TNF-α levels were found in the osteoporosis group compared to controls.
Conclusions:
- Changes in bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal women are associated with alterations in both GM and VM.
- Gut microbiota composition demonstrates a closer correlation with PMO than vaginal microbiota.
- These findings highlight the significant role of the gut microbiome in the pathogenesis of postmenopausal osteoporosis.
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