Altered gut microbiota and serum metabolite profiles characterize postmenopausal bone loss: insights into the gut-bone axis

Postmenopausal bone loss is associated with gut microbiota alterations and altered serum metabolic profiles. Although circulating 25(OH)D levels were relatively higher (yet still subnormal) in the bone-loss group, this cross-sectional observation should be interpreted as an association rather than evidence of a compensatory mechanism. Our findings indicate that NAA and its associated taxa are correlationally associated with bone-related phenotypes, supporting a testable microbiota-metabolite hypothesis that warrants validation in longitudinal or interventional studies.