《生命科学》 2026, 38(1): 207-217
肠道微生物在骨骼肌萎缩中作用的研究进展
摘 要：
骨骼肌是运动系统关键部分，兼具运动支撑与代谢调节功能。骨骼肌萎缩是因疾病、衰老、神经损伤等多种因素，以肌质量和力量持续下降为特征，引发骨骼肌质量和功能持续减退的病症，对患者生活质量与预后影响较大，是当前研究的热点。肠道微生物是肠道内庞大的微生物群落，其对机体健康的影响备受关注。近年来，肠道微生物在骨骼肌萎缩中的潜在作用逐步显现，二者的关联性成为生物学领域研究热点。本文综述了肠道微生物在骨骼肌萎缩中的研究进展，主要包括肠道微生物与骨骼肌的相互作用机制、肠道微生物在不同类型骨骼肌萎缩中的作用以及干预肠道微生物治疗骨骼肌萎缩的策略等方面，旨在为骨骼肌萎缩相关疾病的研究和治疗提供新的思路和策略。
通讯作者：黎玉华 , Email:yuhuali030@163.com
Abstract:
Skeletal muscle is a fundamental tissue within the locomotor system, indispensable not only for movement and structural support but also as a critical regulator of systemic metabolism. Skeletal muscle atrophy, a debilitating condition characterized by a progressive decline in muscle mass, strength, and function, arises from a multitude of etiological factors including specific diseases, aging, nerve injuries, disuse, and cancer cachexia. This deterioration significantly compromises patients' physical autonomy, metabolic health, and overall quality of life, making it a paramount concern in medical research. Concurrently, the gut microbiota, a complex and dynamic ecosystem of microorganisms residing in the gastrointestinal tract, is increasingly recognized as a central modulator of host physiology, influencing processes from nutrient metabolism to immune and inflammatory responses. The emergent concept of a "gut-muscle axis" posits a bidirectional communication network between the gut microbiota and skeletal muscle homeostasis. This article reviews the research progress of gut microbiota in skeletal muscle atrophy, mainly including the interaction mechanism between gut microbiota and skeletal muscle, the role of gut microbiota in different types of skeletal muscle atrophy, and the strategies for intervening gut microbiota to treat skeletal muscle atrophy, aiming to provide new ideas and strategies for the research and treatment of diseases related to skeletal muscle atrophy. The core of this article provides a detailed elaboration of the primary mechanisms
through which the gut microbiota influences skeletal muscle physiology and pathology. These mechanisms are multifaceted: Firstly, microbial metabolites play a pivotal role. Short-chain fatty acids like butyrate, propionate, and acetate, produced by bacterial fermentation of dietary fiber, are crucial mediators. They influence muscle energy metabolism, and help maintain systemic inflammatory homeostasis by preserving intestinal barrier integrity. Other metabolites, including secondary bile acids and metabolites of dietary tryptophan, also significantly impact muscle protein synthesis, mitochondrial function, and inflammatory status. Secondly, immunoregulation is a major pathway. The gut microbiota is essential for the proper development and function of the host immune system. Dysbiosis can disrupt intestinal barrier function, leading to systemic inflammation characterized by elevated pro-inflammatory cytokines, which are potent drivers of muscle catabolism. Furthermore, the microbiota shapes the differentiation and balance of T-cell subsets, which can subsequently influence the inflammatory milieu within the muscle microenvironment, either exacerbating or ameliorating atrophy. The review further
Communication Author：LI Yu-Hua , Email:yuhuali030@163.com
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