The Effect of Lactobacillus Reuteri ATCC PTA 6475 on Volumetric Bone Mineral Density in Patients With Osteopenia

Lactobacillus reuteri (L. reuteri) has been widely studied in clinical trials and has probiotic, health-promoting effects in both adults and children, and is safe for human consumption. Animal models indicate that treatment with L. reuteri has positive effects on bone metabolism and bone density. In other animal models of diabetes and the metabolic syndrome, positive effects on blood glucose and weight have been reported. The present double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized study is designed to investigate if dietary supplementation with L. reuteri twice daily for 12 months has any effect on bone density, body composition, inflammation, or metabolic and endocrine markers in elderly women with osteopenia.

The role of the gut microbes for human health has gained considerable interest in recent years. Lactobacillus reuteri (L.reuteri) is a naturally occurring bacterial species in the human gut. L. reuteri has been widely studied in clinical trials of adults and children and treatment with L. reuteri is safe and is associated with health-promoting effects in humans. In animal models, L. reuteri has anti-inflammatory effects and in ovariectomized mice supplementation with L. reuteri partly prevented the bone loss induced by estrogen deficiency. Furthermore, both bone density and bone formation increased in male mice in another mice model. In mice with medically induced diabetes mellitus, L. reuteri reduced blood glucose and in a mouse model mimicking the metabolic syndrome, L. reuteri prevented diet-induced obesity. The present study is a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, study in 90 elderly women with osteopenia recruited from the population. These women will be treated with L. reuteri or placebo orally twice daily for 12 months. The effects on bone will be investigated with dual energy x-ray absorptiometry, high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography, and bone turnover markers. Hormones and markers of inflammation and metabolism will be followed as well as changes in the gut microbiota composition.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* bone mineral density T-score less than -1 but more than -2.5 in the total hip or femoral neck or lumbar spine (L1-L4) by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry
* signed informed consent
* stated availability throughout the entire study period
* mental ability to understand and willingness to fulfill all the details of the protocol

Exclusion Criteria:

* untreated hyperthyroidism
* rheumatoid arthritis
* diagnosed with disease causing secondary osteoporosis within the last year, including primary hyperparathyroidism, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, inflammatory bowel disease, celiac disease, or diabetes
* recently diagnosed malignancy (within the last 5 years)
* per oral corticosteroid use
* use of antiresorptive therapy, including systemic hormone replacement therapy, bisphosphonates, strontium ran elate
* use of teriparatide (current or during the last 3 years)
* participation in other clinical interventional trials
* use of antibiotics within 2 months preceding the inclusion