Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2025, Vol. 29 ›› Issue (26): 5652-5661.doi: 10.12307/2025.725

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Intestinal flora regulates bone metabolism: a visual analysis of literature from the Web of Science Core Collection

Zeng Hao1, Zou Shunyi1, Li Zhengpeng1, Chai Yuan1, 2, Huang Yourong1, 2, Zhang Xiaoyun1, 2   

  1. 1Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning 530001, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China; 2Department of Orthopedics, Ruikang Hospital, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning 530011, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China
  • Received:2024-09-09 Accepted:2024-10-18 Online:2025-09-18 Published:2025-02-27
  • Contact: Zhang Xiaoyun, MD, Associate chief physician, Master’s supervisor, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning 530001, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China; Department of Orthopedics, Ruikang Hospital, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning 530011, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China
  • About author:Zeng Hao, Master candidate, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning 530001, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China
  • Supported by:
    National Natural Science Foundation of China, No. 82360937 (to ZXY); Natural Science Foundation of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region (General Program), No. 2023GXNSFAA026075 (to ZXY); Guangxi Traditional Chinese Medicine Appropriate Technology Development and Promotion Project, No. GZSY22-36 (to ZXY); Huang Yourong GUI School of Traditional Chinese Medicine Master Training Project, No. [2022]6 (to HYR); Innovation Project of Guangxi Graduate Education, No. YCSY2023038 (to ZH)

Abstract: BACKGROUND: In recent years, a number of studies have confirmed that gut microbiome regulates bone metabolism through multiple pathways, and this field has become a research hotspot in orthopedics and microbiology. However, there is still no literature metrology and visual analysis on this field.
OBJECTIVE: To explore the research status, hot spots and development trends in the field of gut microbiome regulation of bone metabolism, and to provide certain data support and reference for subsequent studies.
METHODS: The Web of Science core collection database was used as the retrieval platform to retrieve the related literature in the field of intestinal flora regulating bone metabolism from 2004 to 2024. Citespace software was used to visually analyze the included literature and generate a visual atlas.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1)  A total of 1,035 papers were included in this study. In the past 20 years, the number of publications in the field of gut microbiome regulation of bone metabolism has shown a significant growth trend, with the United States and China dominating research and publication activities in this field. Harvard University and the University of California system are the research institutions with the highest number of published papers and research centrality in this area, and Professor Pacifici R of Emory University is the most prolific author. (2) Inflammatory bowel disease, chain fatty acids, bone marrow are the core keywords in this field. Postmenopausal osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction are the latest research frontiers in this field. (3) Among the top 10 cited papers, 4 discussed the mechanism of short-chain fatty acids affecting bone metabolism; 3 investigated the pathogenesis and therapeutic potential of intestinal flora in postmenopausal osteoporosis, glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis, and senile osteoporosis; 1 discussed the relationship between intestinal inflammation, intestinal flora, parathyroid hormone, and bone metabolism; and 1 examined the effects of Lactobacillus rhamnosus and T cells on the gut microbiome and bone metabolism. (4) NUTRIENTS has the most papers, while ENDOCRINOLOGY & METABOLISM has the most citations. (5) Based on literature co-citation analysis and keywords, further exploration is needed on the specific pathogenesis and treatment strategies of gut microbiome in postmenopausal osteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis, revealing the molecular mechanism of regulating gut microbiota to inhibit oxidative stress and improve mitochondrial dysfunction affecting bone metabolism, and translating mechanism research into clinical application, which all constitute the future research directions and trends in this field.

Key words: bibliometrics, visual analysis, gut microbiota, bone metabolism, co-occurrence analysis, research hotspot, CiteSpace, big data analysis

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