Protective effects of Lactobacillus plantarum strain against protein malnutrition-induced muscle atrophy and bone loss in juvenile mice

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0317197
• Publication Date: 2025-01-16T18:51:43Z
• Authors: Hyerim Park; Sung-Hee Kim; Kyung-Ah Lee
• Keywords: Strain (injury); Muscle Atrophy

Early-life malnutrition adversely affects nearly all organ systems, resulting in multiple physiological adaptations, including growth restriction and muscle bone loss. Although there is growing evidence that probiotics effectively improve systemic under malnourished conditions different animal models, our knowledge of the beneficial effects on various organs limited. Here, we show Lactobacillus plantarum strain WJL (LpWJL) can mitigate skeletal loss protein-malnourished juvenile mice. Mice prenatal day 21 were fed a (P-MAL) diet with or without LpWJL supplementation for six weeks. Compared to mice P-MAL alone, significantly increased mass size, enhanced strength endurance capacity. Furthermore, induced expression key factor IGF-1 while decreasing atrophy markers such as Atrogin-1 MuRF-1, indicating potential mechanisms by which protein malnutrition-induced wasting counteracted. Additionally, alleviated reduction cortical thickness deterioration trabecular microstructure femur. Taken together, these results indicate protect against compromised microarchitecture caused malnutrition, providing novel insights into therapeutic applications treating malnutrition-related disorders.