Abstract
There is no information regarding whether changes in the microbiological balance of the gastrointestinal tract as a result of an infection with Clostridium perfringens influence the development of metabolic bone disorders. The experiment was carried out on male broiler chickens divided into two groups: control (n = 10) and experimental (n = 10). The experimental animals were infected with Clostridium perfringens between 17 and 20 days of age. The animals were euthanized at 42 days of age. The structural parameters of the trabecular bone, cortical bone, and hyaline cartilage as well as the mineralization of the bone were determined. The metabolism of the skeletal system was assessed by determining the levels of bone turnover markers, hormones, and minerals in the blood serum. The results confirm that the disturbed composition of the gastrointestinal microflora has an impact on the mineralization and metabolism of bone tissue, leading to the structural changes in cortical bone, trabecular bone, and hyaline cartilage. On the basis of the obtained results, it can be concluded that changes in the microenvironment of the gastrointestinal tract by infection with C. perfringens may have an impact on the earlier development of osteoporosis.
Highlights
Microorganisms living on the surface of the intestinal mucosa have a crucial impact on maintaining a proper intestinal balance
The aim of this study was to examine whether disturbances in the gastrointestinal microenvironment as a result of C. perfringens infection affect the homeostasis of the skeletal system and promote the development of secondary osteoporosis
In the case of biochemical indicators determined in the blood serum of animals infected with Clostridium perfringens, a significant decrease in the concentration of alkaline phosphatase (p < 0.01) and a significant increase in phosphorus (p < 0.05) and calcium (p < 0.001) was observed (Figure 1)
Summary
Microorganisms living on the surface of the intestinal mucosa have a crucial impact on maintaining a proper intestinal balance. The number of microorganisms in the digestive tract is equal to the number of cells building the human body [2]. It is the largest ecosystem formed by bacteria, but it is poorly diversified [3]. The most dominant are two groups of saprophytic bacteria: Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes These saprophytes play a very important role in the proper functioning of the whole organism. They provide the necessary nutrients, affecting the synthesis of certain vitamins as well as the absorption of minerals [4]
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