A correlation between intestinal microbiota dysbiosis and osteoarthritis

Abstract

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative disease of the articular cartilage, resulting in pain and total joint disability. Recent studies focused on the role of the metabolic syndrome in inducing or worsening joint damage suggest that chronic low-grade systemic inflammation may represent a possible linking factor. This finding supports the concept of a new phenotype of OA, a metabolic OA. The gut microbiome is fundamental for human physiology and immune system development, among the other important functions. Manipulation of the gut microbiome is considered an important topic for the individual health in different medical fields such as medical biology, nutrition, sports, preventive and rehabilitative medicine. Since intestinal microbiota dysbiosis is strongly associated with the pathogenesis of several metabolic and inflammatory diseases, it is conceivable that also the pathogenesis of OA might be related to it. However, the mechanisms and the contribution of intestinal microbiota metabolites in OA pathogenesis are still not clear. The aim of this narrative review is to review recent literature concerning the possible contribution of dysbiosis to OA onset and to discuss the importance of gut microbiome homeostasis maintenance for optimal general health preservation.

Keywords: Internal medicine; Metabolism; Microbiology; Nutrition; Pathology; Physiology; Public health.

Fig. 1

The figure represents the main factors involved in dysbiosis of the gut microbiome. The self-antigen immune-activation by dysbiosis could lead to the development of different diseases such as cancer, Type I Diabetes, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Spondyloarthritis, Osteoarthritis, Autoimmune Hepatitis and Multiple Sclerosis. This figure was drawn using the software CorelDraw and the vector image bank of Servier Medical Art (http://smart.servier.com/). Servier Medical Art by Servier is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/).

Fig. 2

The etiology of osteoarthritis (OA) is still unknown. Various risk factors have been reported to negatively influence OA onset including age, sex, obesity, immune activation and incorrect diet.

Fig. 3

Proposed schematic representation of how the gut microbiome is regulated. Risk factors such as alcohol consumption, tobacco, salt, sugar and fast food diet negatively influence the microbiome and the immune system. Conversely, a diet rich in fibers, improves the gut microbiome and boosts the immune system. This figure was drawn using the software CorelDraw and the vector image bank of Servier Medical Art (http://smart.servier.com/). Servier Medical Art by Servier is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/).

Fig. 4

Regular moderate physical exercise plays a role in weight control, decreases the risk of diabetes and regularizes the function of the gut microbiome. A correct physical exercise could exert positive effects on joints, muscles, bones and microbiome, consequently preventing osteoarthritis (OA) development. On the other hand, excessive and incorrect physical exercise could be a risk factor for OA. This figure was drawn using the software CorelDraw and the vector image bank of Servier Medical Art (http://smart.servier.com/). Servier Medical Art by Servier is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/).