Supporting data for “Exercise ameliorates obesity-related periodontal bone loss via modulating gut microbiota homeostasis”

This dataset was generated as part of a research project investigating the effects of exercise and gut microbiota on periodontal and systemic bone health, particularly in the context of obesity-associated periodontitis. The study involved both in vivo and in vitro components. In the animal experiments, male C57BL/6 mice (n = 64) were assigned to different experimental groups, including high-fat diet (HFD), exercise intervention (high-intensity interval training), and periodontitis induction via ligature placement. Additional groups received fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) to assess the transmissible effects of gut microbiota from obese or exercise-conditioned donors.

Fecal, serum, and tissue samples were collected from these animals and analyzed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing for microbial profiling. Micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) and histological staining were used to assess bone parameters in both femoral and alveolar bone. Serum cytokines and SCFAs were also quantified using ELISA and targeted metabolomics.

In parallel, human periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) were cultured and treated with various concentrations of acetate to investigate its role in osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation. Gene and protein expression analyses, including Western blotting, and immunofluorescence, were performed to explore underlying mechanisms.