Depletion of gut microbiota induces skeletal muscle atrophy by FXR-FGF15/19 signalling

Background: Recent evidence indicates that host-gut microbiota crosstalk has nonnegligible effects on host skeletal muscle, yet gut microbiota-regulating mechanisms remain obscure. Methods: C57BL/6 mice were treated with a cocktail of antibiotics (Abx) to depress gut microbiota for 4 weeks. The profiles of gut microbiota and microbial bile acids were measured by 16S rRNA sequencing and ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC), respectively. We performed qPCR, western blot and ELISA assays in different tissue samples to evaluate FXR-FGF15/19 signaling. Results: Abx treatment induced skeletal muscle atrophy in mice. These effects were associated with microbial dysbiosis and aberrant bile acid (BA) metabolism in intestine. Ileal farnesoid X receptor (FXR)-fibroblast growth factor 15 (FGF15) signaling was inhibited in response to microbial BA disturbance. Mechanistically, circulating FGF15 was decreased, which downregulated skeletal muscle protein synthesis through the extracellular-signal-regulated protein kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) signaling pathway. Treating Abx mice with FGF19 (human FGF15 ortholog) partly reversed skeletal muscle loss. Conclusions: These findings indicate that the BA-FXR-FGF15/19 axis acts as a regulator of gut microbiota to mediate host skeletal muscle.

Automated summary

Recent evidence suggests that host-gut microbiota crosstalk significantly affects host skeletal muscle, with microbial dysbiosis and aberrant bile acid metabolism contributing to skeletal muscle atrophy. Inhibition of ileal FXR-FGF15 signaling in response to microbial bile acid disturbance results in decreased circulating FGF15 levels, leading to reduced skeletal muscle protein synthesis through the ERK1/2 signaling pathway. Treatment with FGF19 partly reverses skeletal muscle loss in antibiotic-treated mice, indicating the role of the BA-FXR-FGF15/19 axis in regulating gut microbiota and mediating host skeletal muscle.