Understanding connections and roles of gut microbiome in cardiovascular diseases

Can J Microbiol. 2021 Feb;67(2):101-111. doi: 10.1139/cjm-2020-0043. Epub 2020 Oct 20.

Abstract

The gut microbiome encompasses trillions of residing microbes, mainly bacteria, which play a crucial role in maintaining the physiological and metabolic health of the host. The gut microbiome has been associated with several diseases, including cardiovascular disease (CVD). A growing body of evidence suggests that an altered gut environment and gut-microbiome-derived metabolites are associated with CVD events. The gut microbiome communicates with host physiology through different mechanisms, including trimethylamine N-oxide generation, primary and secondary bile acid metabolism pathways, and short-chain fatty acids production. The main focus of this review is to understand the association of the gut microbiome with CVD and its implications on the interactions between the gut microbiome and the host. Manipulation of the gut microbiome through specific dietary intervention is a simple approach to identifying novel targets for therapy or better dietary recommendations, and new preventive measures for screening biomarkers to reduce CVD risk in humans.

Keywords: acide biliaire; acides gras à chaîne courte; bile acid; cardiovascular disease; gut microbiome; maladies cardiovasculaires; microbiome intestinal; oxyde de triméthylamine; short-chain fatty acids; trimethylamine N-oxide.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Bacteria / metabolism
  • Bile Acids and Salts / metabolism
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / metabolism
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / microbiology
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / physiopathology*
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / therapy
  • Diet
  • Fatty Acids, Volatile / metabolism
  • Gastrointestinal Microbiome / physiology*
  • Gastrointestinal Tract / metabolism
  • Gastrointestinal Tract / microbiology
  • Host Microbial Interactions
  • Humans
  • Methylamines / metabolism

Substances

  • Bile Acids and Salts
  • Fatty Acids, Volatile
  • Methylamines
  • trimethyloxamine