Role of gut microbiota in cardiovascular diseases.

World journal of cardiology. 2020;12(4):110-122

Plain language summary

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death globally. CVD risk factors such as aging, obesity, dietary patterns and a sedentary lifestyle induce changes in the gut microbiota. The resulting dysbiosis is associated with intestinal inflammation leading to reduced integrity of the gut barrier. When this happens, certain components enter the circulation which may facilitate the development of CVD. Looking at the gut microbiota as a locus of intervention is therefore a novel and relevant avenue for future research. This article reviews the normal function and composition of the gut microbiome, the mechanisms leading to reduced gut barrier integrity (leaky gut syndrome), its link to CVD and potential novel therapeutic approaches aimed towards restoring gut microbiome and CVD prevention. The alteration of the gut microbiome is a potential therapeutic target in managing CVD. However, further experiments are needed to see if the effects observed in animal studies can be translated to humans.

Abstract

The human gut is colonized by a community of microbiota, primarily bacteria, that exist in a symbiotic relationship with the host. Intestinal microbiota-host interactions play a critical role in the regulation of human physiology. Deleterious changes to the composition of gut microbiota, referred to as gut dysbiosis, has been linked to the development and progression of numerous diseases, including cardiovascular disease (CVD). Imbalances in host-microbial interaction impair homeostatic mechanisms that regulate health and can activate multiple pathways leading to CVD risk factor progression. Most CVD risk factors, including aging, obesity, dietary patterns, and a sedentary lifestyle, have been shown to induce gut dysbiosis. Dysbiosis is associated with intestinal inflammation and reduced integrity of the gut barrier, which in turn increases circulating levels of bacterial structural components and microbial metabolites, including trimethylamine-N-oxide and short-chain fatty acids, that may facilitate the development of CVD. This article reviews the normal function and composition of the gut microbiome, mechanisms leading to the leaky gut syndrome, its mechanistic link to CVD and potential novel therapeutic approaches aimed towards restoring gut microbiome and CVD prevention. As CVD is the leading cause of deaths globally, investigating the gut microbiota as a locus of intervention presents a novel and clinically relevant avenue for future research.

Lifestyle medicine

Patient Centred Factors : Mediators/Cardiovascular disease
Environmental Inputs : Diet ; Nutrients ; Microorganisms
Personal Lifestyle Factors : Not applicable
Functional Laboratory Testing : Not applicable

Methodological quality

Jadad score : Not applicable
Allocation concealment : Not applicable
Publication Type : Journal Article ; Review

Metadata

Nutrition Evidence keywords : Leaky gut ; CVD