Impact of antibiotic-induced gut dysbiosis model on bone mineralization and biomechanical properties in post-weaning rats
Abstract
The gut microbiota plays a crucial role in regulating host metabolism and homeostasis through immune, endocrine, and metabolic pathways. This study investigated the impact of antibiotic-induced microbial disruption during the critical post-weaning period on bone biomechanical properties and mineral composition and evaluated whether fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) could reverse these alterations in rats. Following weaning, Sprague Dawley rats were allocated to control (CON), dysbiosis (DYS), and FMT groups. To induce experimental intestinal dysbiosis, rats in the DYS and FMT groups were administered a broad-spectrum antibiotic mixture for 14 days following an established protocol. Subsequently, the FMT group received daily fecal suspensions from healthy donor rats for 10 days. At 8 weeks of age, tibial biomechanical integrity was assessed via three-point bending tests, and bone mineral composition was determined through crude ash, calcium (Ca), and phosphorus (P) analyses. The results demonstrated that antibiotic-induced DYS significantly reduced tibial ultimate force and stiffness while increasing displacement, indicating impaired bone mechanical integrity. In addition, DYS significantly decreased crude bone ash content as well as Ca and P levels. While histopathological examination did not reveal marked structural alterations among the groups, the FMT intervention partially restored bone mechanical strength and mineral composition toward control levels. These findings suggest that antibiotic-induced perturbations during early development negatively affect bone mineralization and biomechanics, while the partial recovery following FMT supports the concept of a functional gut–bone axis.
Keywords
References
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Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
Veterinary Anatomy and Physiology
Journal Section
Research Article
Authors
Bayram Süzer
0000-0002-2687-1221
Türkiye
İlker Arıcan
0000-0001-6342-0094
Türkiye
Ezgi Yumuşak
0000-0002-7773-3419
Türkiye
Ahmet Akkoç
0000-0002-5090-7917
Türkiye
Murat Yalçın
*
0000-0002-5600-8162
Türkiye
Early Pub Date
August 20, 2026
Publication Date
-
Submission Date
March 16, 2026
Acceptance Date
July 29, 2026
Published in Issue
Year 2026 Number: Advanced Online Publication