The gut microbiome and atherosclerosis: current knowledge and clinical potential.

The gut microbiome and atherosclerosis: current knowledge and clinical potential. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol. 2019 Aug 30;: Authors: Ahmad A, Dwivedi G, O'Gara F, Caparros-Martin J, Ward N Abstract Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death worldwide. The human body is populated by a diverse community of microbes, dominated by bacteria, but also including viruses and fungi. The largest and most complex of these communities is located in the gastrointestinal system and with their associated genome, are known as the gut microbiome. Gut microbiome perturbations and related dysbiosis have been implicated in the progression and pathogenesis of CVD, including atherosclerosis, hypertension and heart failure. Although there have been advances in the characterisation and analysis of the gut microbiota and associated bacterial metabolites, the exact mechanisms through which they exert their action is not well understood. This review will focus on the role of the gut microbiome and associated functional components in the development and progression of atherosclerosis. Potential treatments to alter the gut microbiome to prevent or treat atherosclerosis and CVD are also discussed. PMID: 31469291 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: American Journal of Physiology. Heart and Circulatory Physiology - Category: Physiology Authors: Tags: Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol Source Type: research