Targeting gut microbiota in aging-related cardiovascular dysfunction: focus on the mechanisms

Gut Microbes. 2023 Dec;15(2):2290331. doi: 10.1080/19490976.2023.2290331. Epub 2023 Dec 10.

Abstract

The global population is aging and age-related cardiovascular disease is increasing. Even after controlling for cardiovascular risk factors, readmission and mortality rates remain high. In recent years, more and more in-depth studies have found that the composition of the gut microbiota and its metabolites, such as trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), bile acids (BAs), and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), affect the occurrence and development of age-related cardiovascular diseases through a variety of molecular pathways, providing a new target for therapy. In this review, we discuss the relationship between the gut microbiota and age-related cardiovascular diseases, and propose that the gut microbiota could be a new therapeutic target for preventing and treating cardiovascular diseases.

Keywords: Gut microbiota; aging; cardiovascular dysfunction; drug therapy; metabolites.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Bile Acids and Salts
  • Cardiovascular Diseases* / metabolism
  • Fatty Acids, Volatile / metabolism
  • Gastrointestinal Microbiome*
  • Humans

Substances

  • Fatty Acids, Volatile
  • Bile Acids and Salts

Grants and funding

This research was funded by grants from Sichuan Science and Technology Program (2022YFS0610), Luzhou Municipal People’s Government – Southwest Medical University Science and Technology Strategic Cooperation (2021LZXNYD-J33), Zhejiang People’s Hospital – Southwest Medical University Science and Technology Strategic Cooperation Project (2021HJXNYD13) and Gulin County People’s Hospital – Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University Science and Technology strategic Cooperation (2022GLXNYDFY13) and 2022-N-01-33 project of China International Medical Foundation.