The beneficial effects of ultraviolet light supplementation on bone density are associated with the intestinal flora in rats

Progress of linking gut microbiota and musculoskeletal health: casualty, mechanisms, and translational values

The musculoskeletal system is important for balancing metabolic activity and maintaining health. Recent studies have shown that distortions in homeostasis of the intestinal microbiota are correlated with or may even contribute to abnormalities in musculoskeletal system function. Research has also shown that the intestinal flora and its secondary metabolites can impact the musculoskeletal system by regulating various phenomena, such as inflammation and immune and metabolic activities. Most of the existing literature supports that reasonable nutritional intervention helps to improve and maintain the homeostasis of intestinal microbiota, and may have a positive impact on musculoskeletal health. The purpose of organizing, summarizing and discussing the existing literature is to explore whether the intervention methods, including nutritional supplement and moderate exercise, can affect the muscle and bone health by regulating the microecology of the intestinal flora. More in-depth efficacy verification experiments will be helpful for clinical applications.

Multispectroscopic, virtual and in vivo insights into the photoaging defense mediated by the natural food colorant bixin

An upsurge in early onset of photoaging due to repeated skin exposure to environmental stressors such as UV radiation is a challenge for pharmaceutical and cosmeceutical divisions. Current reports indicate severe side effects because of chemical or synthetic inhibitors of matrix metalloproteases (MMPs) in anti-skin aging cosmeceuticals. We evaluated the adequacy of bixin, a well-known FDA certified food additive, as a scavenger of free radicals and its inhibitory mechanism of action on MMP1, collagenase, elastase, and hyaluronidase. The anti-skin aging potential of bixin was evaluated by several biotechnological tools in silico, in vitro and in vivo. Molecular docking and simulation dynamics studies gave a virtual insight into the robust binding interaction between bixin and skin aging-related enzymes. Absorbance and fluorescence studies, enzyme inhibition assays, enzyme kinetics and in vitro bioassays of human dermal fibroblast (HDF) cells highlighted bixin's role as a potent antioxidant and inhibitor of skin aging-related enzymes. Furthermore, in vivo protocols were carried out to study the impact of bixin administration on UVA induced photoaging in C57BL/6 mice skin. Here, we uncover the UVA shielding effect of bixin and its efficacy as a novel anti-photoaging agent. Furthermore, the findings of this study provide a strong foundation to explore the pharmaceutical applications of bixin in several other biochemical pathways linked to MMP1, collagenase, elastase, and hyaluronidase.

New Advances in Improving Bone Health Based on Specific Gut Microbiota

The gut microbiota has been shown to play an important role in the pathogenesis of various diseases, including metabolic diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer. Recent studies suggest that the gut microbiota is also closely associated with bone metabolism. However, given the high diversity of the gut microbiota, the effects of different taxa and compositions on bone are poorly understood. Previous studies demonstrated that the mechanisms underlying the effects of the gut microbiota on bone mainly include its modulation of nutrient absorption, intestinal permeability, metabolites (such as short-chain amino acids), immune responses, and hormones or neurotransmitters (such as 5-hydroxytryptamine). Several studies found that external interventions, such as dietary changes, improved bone health and altered the composition of the gut microbiota. This review summarises the beneficial gut bacteria and explores how dietary, natural, and physical factors alter the diversity and composition of the gut microbiota to improve bone health, thereby providing potential new insight into the prevention of osteoporosis.