Cistanche deserticola polysaccharide regulated the gut microbiota-SCFAs-Th17/Treg cell axis and ameliorated the inflammation of postmenopausal osteoporosis

Chronic inflammation plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMO). Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) produced by the gut microbiota (GM) have emerged as key regulators of the inflammatory response. Cistanche deserticola polysaccharide (CDP), derived from the traditional Chinese medicine Cistanche deserticola, possesses potent anti-inflammatory properties. However, the precise mechanism by which CDP modulates inflammation in PMO via the gut-bone axis remains elusive. In this study, we elucidated that CDP could effectively restore GM composition, ameliorate intestinal mucosal damage, elevate SCFA levels, rebalance the Th17/Treg cells equilibrium, attenuate the accumulation of proinflammatory cytokines, potentially facilitate osteoblast differentiation, potentially suppress osteoclastogenesis, and enhance bone microarchitecture in PMO mice. Collectively, our findings provided compelling evidence that CDP alleviated PMO-associated inflammation, potentially mediated through the intricate interplay between GM-derived SCFAs and the Th17/Treg cells.

Automated summary

This study found that Cistanche deserticola polysaccharide (CDP) alleviates inflammation in postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMO) by modulating gut microbiota composition, increasing short-chain fatty acid levels, balancing Th17/Treg cells, inhibiting proinflammatory cytokine accumulation, promoting osteoblast differentiation, and improving bone microarchitecture.