Figure 5. Supplementation of the indigenous microbiota with probiotics prevents sex steroid–induced bone loss.

Conventional ovx and sham-operated mice were supplemented twice a week with 1 × 10⁹ CFU of either VSL#3, LGG, LGG-M, E. coli, or vehicle. Data are expressed as mean ±SEM. (A) In vivo prospective measurements of spine BV/TV by μCT scanning at baseline and 2 and 4 weeks after surgery. n = 10–14 mice per group. Data were normally distributed according to the Shapiro-Wilk normality test and analyzed by ANOVA for repeated measures and post hoc tests applying the Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons. (B and C) In vitro analysis of femoral BV/TV and Ct.V by μCT scanning. n = 10–14 mice per group. (D and E) Serum levels of type 1 cross-linked CTX and serum levels of osteocalcin. n = 10 mice per group randomly selected from a total of 10–14 mice per group. Data in B–E were normally distributed according to the Shapiro-Wilk normality test and analyzed by 2-way ANOVA and post hoc tests applying the Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons. ^†P < 0.05, ^††P < 0.01 ^†††P < 0.001, and ^††††P < 0.0001 compared with baseline. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001, and ****P < 0.0001 compared with sham vehicle. ^#P < 0.05, ^##P < 0.01, ^###P < 0.001, and ^####P < 0.0001 compared with ovx vehicle.