Polyphenol
can improve osteoporosis and is closely associated with
gut microbiota, while the mechanism and the relationship among polyphenol,
osteoporosis, and gut microbiota colonization remain unclear. Here,
an osteoporosis rat model established by ovariectomy was employed
to investigate the improving mechanism of arecanut (Areca catechu L.) seed polyphenol (ACP) on osteoporosis
by regulating gut microbiota. We analyzed the bone microstructure,
Paneth cells, regulating microbial protein (lysozyme (LYZ)), proinflammatory
cytokines, macrophage infiltration levels, and gut microbial communities
in a rat. ACP improved the trabecular microstructure compared to OVX,
including the increased trabecular number (Tb.N) (P < 0.01) and trabecular thickness (Tb.Th) (P <
0.001) and decreased trabecular separation (Tb.Sp) (P < 0.01). At the phylum level, Bacteroidetes was increased after
ovariectomy (P < 0.001) and Firmicutes and Proteobacteria
were increased in ACP (P < 0.001). Antiosteoporosis
groups with lower LYZ and Paneth cells (P < 0.001)
showed that the microbiota Alistipes, which have
a negative effect on bone metabolism were decreased in ACP (P < 0.001). Altogether, these studies showed that the
estrogen deficiency could induce the shedding of Paneth cells, which
leads to the decrease of LYZ, while ACP could increase the LYZ expression
by maintaining the population of Paneth cells in an estrogen-deficient
host, which were implicated in gut microbiota regulation and improved
osteoporosis by controlling the inflammatory reaction.