Effect of probiotics on postmenopausal bone health: a preclinical meta-analysis.

Postmenopausal osteoporosis is a major concern for women worldwide due to increased risk of fractures and diminished bone quality. Recent
research on gut microbiota has suggested that probiotics can combat various diseases, including postmenopausal bone loss. Although several
preclinical studies have explored the potential of probiotics in improving postmenopausal bone loss, the results have been inconsistent and the
mechanism of action remains unclear. To address this, a meta-analysis was conducted to determine the effect of probiotics on animal models of
postmenopausal osteoporosis. The bone parameters studied were bone mineral density (BMD), bone volume fractions (BV/TV), and hallmarks
of bone formation and resorption. Pooled analysis showed that probiotic treatment significantly improves BMD and BV/TV of the
ovariectomised animals. Probiotics, while not statistically significant, exhibited a tendency towards enhancing bone formation and reducing
bone resorption. Next, we compared the effects of Lactobacillus sp. and Bifidobacterium sp. on osteoporotic bone. Both probiotics improved
BMDand BV/TV compared with control, but Lactobacillus sp. had a larger effect size. In conclusion, our findings suggest that probiotics have the
potential to improve bone health and prevent postmenopausal osteoporosis. However, further studies are required to investigate the effect of
probiotics on postmenopausal bone health in humans.