Bifidobacterium longum supplementation improves age-related delays in fracture repair

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Joseph LL Roberts, Emory University; Mateo Golloshi, Emory University; Derek B Harding, Emory University; Madison Conduah, Emory University; Guanglu Liu, Atlanta VA Health Care System; Hicham Drissi, Emory University
• Language: English
• Date: 2023-01-27
• Publisher: WILEY
• Publication Version: Final Published Version
• Copyright Statement: © 2023 The Authors. Aging Cell published by Anatomical Society and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
• License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/acel.13786
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: AGING CELL
• Volume: 22
• Issue: 4
• Start Page: e13786
• End Page: e13786
• Keywords: ACTIVATION; LPS-BINDING PROTEIN; Geriatrics & Gerontology; aging; Bifidobacterium longum; SYSTEMIC INFLAMMATION; Cell Biology; LONGUM; NEUTRALIZATION; EXPRESSION; BONE LOSS; probiotics; MICROBIOME; gut microbiome; PROBIOTICS; Science & Technology; Life Sciences & Biomedicine; DOUBLE-BLIND; femur fracture
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, Medicine and Surgery

Abstract

Age-related delays in bone repair remains an important clinical issue that can prolong pain and suffering. It is now well established that inflammation increases with aging and that this exacerbated inflammatory response can influence skeletal regeneration. Recently, simple dietary supplementation with beneficial probiotic bacteria has been shown to influence fracture repair in young mice. However, the contribution of the gut microbiota to age-related impairments in fracture healing remains unknown. Here, we sought to determine whether supplementation with a single beneficial probiotic species, Bifidobacterium longum (B. longum), would promote fracture repair in aged (18-month-old) female mice. We found that B. longum supplementation accelerated bony callus formation which improved mechanical properties of the fractured limb. We attribute these pro-regenerative effects of B. longum to preservation of intestinal barrier, dampened systemic inflammation, and maintenance of the microbiota community structure. Moreover, B. longum attenuated many of the fracture-induced systemic pathologies. Our study provides evidence that targeting the gut microbiota using simple dietary approaches can improve fracture healing outcomes and minimize systemic pathologies in the context of aging.