The Gut Microbiota and Its Implication in the Development of Atherosclerosis and Related Cardiovascular Diseases

Abstract

The importance of gut microbiota in health and disease is being highlighted by numerous research groups worldwide. Atherosclerosis, the leading cause of heart disease and stroke, is responsible for about 50% of all cardiovascular deaths. Recently, gut dysbiosis has been identified as a remarkable factor to be considered in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). In this review, we briefly discuss how external factors such as dietary and physical activity habits influence host-microbiota and atherogenesis, the potential mechanisms of the influence of gut microbiota in host blood pressure and the alterations in the prevalence of those bacterial genera affecting vascular tone and the development of hypertension. We will also be examining the microbiota as a therapeutic target in the prevention of CVDs and the beneficial mechanisms of probiotic administration related to cardiovascular risks. All these new insights might lead to novel analysis and CVD therapeutics based on the microbiota.

ACE2 imbalance as a key player for the poor outcomes in COVID-19 patients with age-related comorbidities – Role of gut microbiota dysbiosis

“…Gut microbiota dysbiosis has been also associated with a diversity of age-related cardiac and vascular disorders, including hypertension, heart failure, myocardial infarction, stroke and coronary artery disease, among others ( Busnelli et al, 2019 ; Sanchez-Rodriguez et al, 2020 ). Atherosclerosis, the background condition for several cardio and cerebrovascular disorders, is a chronic inflammatory disease that has been also associated with intestinal microbiota dysbiosis ( Sanchez-Rodriguez et al, 2020 ). Globally, patients with cardiovascular disease have been associated with major changes on bacterial populations, including an increased prevalence of Firmicutes and reduced of Bacterioidetes ( Jonsson and Backhed, 2017 ).…”

“…Moreover, some populations of patients with increased risk for CVD presented seropositivity for some deleterious bacteria, namely Helicobacter pylori and Chlamydia pneumoniae ( Jha et al, 2008 ). Overall, it is believed that bacteria-derived endotoxemia can contribute to CVD ( Busnelli et al, 2019 ; Sanchez-Rodriguez et al, 2020 ).…”

“…Bifidobacteria ) and a reduced number of species producing butyrate, a short chain fatty acid (SCFA) that plays important metabolic functions and has a major role in maintaining the integrity of intestinal epithelium ( Mangiola et al, 2018 ). Accordingly, mounting evidences outline a key role for gut dysbiosis in age-related cardiovascular, metabolic and renal disorders ( Abenavoli et al, 2019 ; Mafra et al, 2019 ; McAleer and Kolls, 2018 ; Sanchez-Rodriguez et al, 2020 ). Interestingly, poor outcomes of COVID-19 infection have been observed in elderly patients, particularly those with pre-existing cardiovascular, metabolic and renal disorders, in whom the disease severity and the mortality rate are considerably higher ( Du et al, 2020 ; Li et al, 2020a ; Mehra et al, 2020 ; Roncon et al, 2020 ; Shi et al, 2020 ; Siordia, 2020 ; Team, 2020 ; Wang et al, 2020c ; Zhou et al, 2020a ).…”

Microbiome-based interventions: therapeutic strategies in cancer immunotherapy

“…FMT involves the transfer of not only commensal bacteria, but also viruses, protozoa, archaea and fungi, which are often not accounted for due to inadequate methods to characterize these organisms fully. 38,39 There is growing evidence that, collectively, these microbial communities impact the development of cardiovascular disease, 40,41 neurological disorders, 42 metabolic disorders, 43e46 psychiatric conditions 47 and lung disorders. 48 Theoretically, the transfer of fecal microbiota may lead to unrecognized transmission and predisposition to these chronic health disorders, and thus may warrant more judicious selection of FMT donors as well as additional studies to better understand the long-term health impact of FMT.…”

Nutrition, Microbiota and Noncommunicable Diseases

“…Cornide-Petronio et al [21] summarized the role of starvation, supplemented nutrition diet, nutritional status, and alterations in microbiota on hepatic ischemia/reperfusion and regeneration. Barrientos-Duran et al [22] examined the most important aspect in the vaginal microbiota, with special emphasis in bacterial vaginosis, and the maintenance of eubiosis, and Sanchez-Rodriguez et al [23] discussed how external factors such as dietary and physical activity habits influence host microbiota and atherogenesis, the potential mechanisms of the influence of gut microbiota in host blood pressure, and the alterations in the prevalence of those bacterial genera affecting vascular tone and the development of hypertension. Finally, Plaza-Diaz et al [24] revisited the effects of sweeteners on gut microbiota.…”