Gut microbiota-bile acid-skeletal muscle axis

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Metabolism
• Skeletal Muscle Physiology

Background:

• The gut microbiota functions as a metabolic organ regulating host metabolism and homeostasis.
• Gut dysbiosis, or microbial imbalance, is linked to various diseases and altered host metabolism.
• Perturbations in gut microbiota and its metabolites significantly affect skeletal muscle metabolism.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the connection between gut microbiota, bile acids, and skeletal muscle metabolism.
• To elucidate the role of the gut-muscle axis in skeletal muscle atrophy.
• To propose novel therapeutic strategies for optimizing skeletal muscle function.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of preclinical studies on gut microbiota and skeletal muscle.
• Analysis of the bile acid-FXR pathway's role in muscle metabolism.
• Exploration of the gut-muscle axis mechanisms.

Main Results:

• Dysbiosis and loss of microbial metabolites can induce skeletal muscle atrophy.
• Bile acids, metabolized by gut bacteria, regulate host metabolic pathways via FXR.
• Alterations in the gut microbiota can impact skeletal muscle via the bile acid-FXR pathway.

Conclusions:

• The gut microbiota critically influences skeletal muscle health.
• The bile acid-FXR pathway represents a key mechanism linking gut dysbiosis to muscle atrophy.
• Targeting the gut-muscle axis offers potential strategies for enhancing skeletal muscle functionality.