Analyzing the Complicated Connection Between Intestinal Microbiota and Cardiovascular Diseases

Abstract

Relentless human curiosity to understand the basis of every aspect of medical science has led humanity to unlock the deepest secrets about the physiology of human existence and, in the process, has reached milestones that a century ago could only be imagined. Recent ground-breaking breakthroughs have helped scientists and physicians all over the world to update the scientific basis of diseases and hence further improve treatment outcomes. According to recent studies, scientists have found a link between intestinal flora and the pathogenesis of diseases, including cardiovascular diseases. Any change in the typical habitat of gut microbiota has been shown to result in the culmination of various metabolic and cardiac diseases. Therefore, gut microbiota can be credited for influencing the course of the development of a disease. Any change in the composition and function of bacterial species living in the gut can result in both beneficial and harmful effects on the body. Gut microbiota achieves this role by numerous mechanisms. Generations of various metabolites like TMAO (trimethylamine N-oxide), increased receptibility of various bacterial antigens, and disruption of the enzyme action in various metabolic pathways like the bile acids pathway may result in the development of metabolic as well as cardiovascular diseases. Even if they may not be the only etiological factor in the pathogenesis of a disease, they may very well serve as a contributing factor in worsening the outcome of the condition. Studies have shown that they actively play a role in the progression of cardiovascular diseases like atherosclerotic plaque formation and rising blood pressure. The focus of this review article is to establish a relation between various cardiovascular diseases and gut microbiota. This could prove beneficial for clinicians, health care providers, and scientists to develop novel therapeutic algorithms while treating cardiac patients.

Keywords: atherosclerosis; atrial fibrillation; cyanotic heart disease; gut microbiota; heart failure; hypertension; rheumatic heart disease; stroke; vascular changes.

Figure 1. Relationship between gut microbiota and hypertension

ANS: Autonomic nervous system; ENS: Enteric nervous system; HPA: Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis The figure is created by the author.

Figure 2. Effect of KCNE2 gene on heart failure

The figure is created by the author.

Figure 3. Necrotizing enterocolitis in premature infants

NEC: Necrotizing enterocolitis The figure is created by the author.