Atherosclerosis and Angina

Evolving concepts and research frontiers: atherosclerosis and microbiota

Tetiana Povshedna

The role of gut microbiota is actively being investigated in the context of cardiovascular disease in the past few decades. Some evidence implicating gut and oral microbiota in the development and progression of cardiovascular disease include altered microbial composition in individuals with CVD compared to controls and bacterial DNA in atherosclerotic plaques. While mechanistic understanding of the relationship between microbiota and clinical outcomes is still lacking, multiple studies have pointed toward associations and mechanisms which might connect gut microbiota and the development of atherosclerosis. Some of these diet-related mechanisms are highlighted below and point toward possible behavioral interventions that could be incorporated into atherosclerosis prevention strategies if proven causal. So far, most of the data in the field are coming from animal studies, and there is no consensus about the relationship between diet, gut microbiota, and atherosclerosis. Thus, the research findings should not be interpreted as dietary or medical advice.

 

Possible mechanisms that connect diet, gut microbiota, and atherosclerosis (Figure 8.36) 

Short-chain fatty acids 

Changes in intestinal wall permeability (the “leaky gut” concept), which occur in multiple disease states, including cardiovascular, allow for the transport of bacterial metabolites through the intestinal wall into the systemic circulation. Once in the systemic circulation, molecules produced by gut microbiota can induce a pro-inflammatory state in the host which, in turn, can worsen existing chronic conditions, including atherosclerosis. At the same time, some molecules produced by bacteria can have anti-inflammatory properties. The gut microbiota-derived short-chain fatty acids, which are produced during fiber fermentation by bacteria, can decrease blood pressure ( a known risk factor for atherosclerosis), as shown in some animal and human studies. This possible link presents an interesting avenue for behavioral and therapeutic interventions and an opportunity to leverage the benefits of plant-based diets.

Trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) 

TMAO is a dietary component that’s produced by gut microbiota as a result of phosphatidylcholine, choline, and carnitine (contained in red meat, eggs, fish) metabolism. Some studies have found an association between higher amounts of this molecule, the likelihood of cardiovascular events (heart attack, stroke), and atherosclerosis severity. Some proposed mechanisms include TMAO’s ability to facilitate platelet aggregation (a necessary step of clot formation), inflammation (a risk factor of atherosclerosis), and endothelial activation (often the first step in atherosclerosis lesion initiation). A possible link between the amount of red meat consumption, TMAO levels, and the likelihood of ASCVD points towards the importance of dietary considerations for atherosclerosis prevention.

human GI tract with a zoom in on resident bacteria processing either foods in high fiber (like vegetables and beans) which results in decr in blood pressure and anti-inflammatory processes OR foods high in carnitine and choline (e.g. meats fish) resulting in production of the chemical TMAO that leads to inflammation, endothelial activation, and platelet aggregation

Figure 8.36. Possible mechanisms that connect diet, gut microbiota, and atherosclerosis. Created by Tetiana Povshedna with smart.servier.com under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported LicenseAs the body of evidence connecting gut microbiota and cardiovascular disease grows, scientists are exploring microbiota-targeted interventions to prevent atherosclerosis progression. These include:

  • use of prebiotics (food/supplements that are used by beneficial gut microbiota)
  • use of probiotics (foods/supplements that contain live microorganisms)
  • TMAO production inhibitors
  • dietary measures (variations of the plant-based diet with high dietary fiber and fermentable substrates content)
  • targeting “leaky” intestinal membranes

Section summary

New research suggests that metabolites produced by gut microbiota can affect atherosclerosis development and progression. Numerous animal and human studies have shown intriguing associations between certain dietary patterns and atherosclerosis risk/outcomes. However, since the causal relationships between various diet components and atherosclerosis outcomes have not been established, these data should be interpreted with caution.

Review questions

References

https://www.nature.com/articles/nrcardio.2016.183#Ack1

https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.120.316242

https://openheart.bmj.com/content/6/1/e000993

https://bsd.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13293-021-00378-z#rightslink

 

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Pathology Copyright © 2022 by Tetiana Povshedna is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.

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