A Six-Day, Lifestyle-Based Immersion Program Mitigates Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Induces Shifts in Gut Microbiota, Specifically Lachnospiraceae, Ruminococcaceae, Faecalibacterium prausnitzii: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevalence remains elevated globally. We have previously shown that a one-week lifestyle “immersion program” leads to clinical improvements and sustained improvements in quality of life in moderate to high atherosclerotic CVD (ASCVD) risk individuals. In a subsequent year of this similarly modeled immersion program, we again collected markers of cardiovascular health and, additionally, evaluated intestinal microbiome composition. ASCVD risk volunteers (n = 73) completed the one-week “immersion program” involving nutrition (100% plant-based foods), stress management education, and exercise. Anthropometric measurements and CVD risk factors were compared at baseline and post intervention. A subgroup (n = 22) provided stool, which we analyzed with 16S rRNA sequencing. We assessed abundance changes within-person, correlated the abundance shifts with clinical changes, and inferred functional pathways using PICRUSt. Reductions in blood pressure, total cholesterol, and triglycerides, were observed without reduction in weight. Significant increases in butyrate producers were detected, including Lachnospiraceae and Oscillospirales. Within-person, significant shifts in relative abundance (RA) occurred, e.g., increased Lachnospiraceae (+58.8% RA, p = 0.0002), Ruminococcaceae (+82.1%, p = 0.0003), Faecalibacterium prausnitzii (+54.5%, p = 0.002), and diversification and richness. Microbiota changes significantly correlated with body mass index (BMI), blood pressure (BP), cholesterol, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), glucose, and trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) changes. Pairwise decreases were inferred in microbial genes corresponding to cancer, metabolic disease, and amino acid metabolism. This brief lifestyle-based intervention improved lipids and BP and enhanced known butyrate producers, without significant weight loss. These results demonstrate a promising non-pharmacological preventative strategy for improving cardiovascular health.

Diversified Shifts in the Cross Talk between Members of the Gut Microbiota and Development of Coronary Artery Diseases

“…In a correlation analysis between indicator genus and clinical indexes, though there was no significant difference in BMI in MCS versus control patients, the indicator Monoglobus showed significantly negative linkage with BMI. The same negative association was reported in another study in individuals with high atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk; however, when low-calorie dietary interventions were performed, atherosclerotic markers improved in a time series study ( 47 ). When mice were orally administered Qing-Xin-Jie-Yu Granule (QXJYG), a Chinese traditional decoction which was proven to be clinically effective for CAD patients, Monoglobus was also significantly elevated ( 71 ).…”

“…In MCS versus controls after correction of age noise, the control indicator Dialister , a genus in the phylum Firmicutes , was significantly depleted in Tibetan coronary heart disease (CHD) patients compared to healthy Tibetans and showed negative associations with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), consistent with its protective anti-inflammation role ( 46 ). Most MCS indicators were found to be from the families Oscillospiraceae and Lactobacillaceae , usually playing favorable roles in CAD patients for production of butyrate ( 47 ). It worth noting that the MCS indicators Monoglobus ( 47 ) and Flavonifractor ( 48 ) were significantly decreased in CAD patients in other studies.…”

“…Most MCS indicators were found to be from the families Oscillospiraceae and Lactobacillaceae , usually playing favorable roles in CAD patients for production of butyrate ( 47 ). It worth noting that the MCS indicators Monoglobus ( 47 ) and Flavonifractor ( 48 ) were significantly decreased in CAD patients in other studies. Some studies reporting that degradation of flavonoids by Flavonifractor plautii contributed to human health by exerting an anti-inflammatory effect ( 49 ).…”

The Emerging Role of the Gut Microbiome in Cardiovascular Disease: Current Knowledge and Perspectives

“…Translating this knowledge into high-precision microbiome-mediated CVD strategies will be a game changer, as current treatments seem to be inadequate in many cases. While more and more modernized approaches dominate the field of CVD therapeutics, we should not by any means underestimate the significant impact of more conventional interventions, such as diet and exercise [177].…”

The Intestinal Microbiota and Metabolites in the Gut-Kidney-Heart Axis of Chronic Kidney Disease

“…In fact, it has been found that Ruminococcaceae is negatively related to inflammatory bowel disease, and Ruminococcaceae is considered as the producer of butyrate, which is the preferred source of energy for colonic epithelial cells and plays an important role in maintaining colon health [26]. It can also retard CKD and CVD by improving lipids and blood pressure [36].…”