Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) continue to be the world's leading cause of
death, and their aetiology is influenced by a complex interaction of lifestyle,
environmental, and genetic variables. There is growing evidence that the billions of
microorganisms and their metabolites that make up the gut microbiota may be crucial
in regulating cardiovascular health. This chapter sheds insight on the possible
mechanisms of action and therapeutic consequences of the complex link between gut
microbial metabolites and cardiovascular disorders.
The gut microbiota produces a wide range of metabolites, including
lipopolysaccharides (LPS), bile acids, trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), and shortchain fatty acids (SCFAs), by fermenting food substrates. These metabolites have the
ability to affect a number of physiological processes that are important for
cardiovascular health, including inflammation, lipid metabolism, endothelial function,
and blood pressure management. They can also have systemic effects.
Certain gut microbial metabolites have been linked in recent research to the
pathophysiology of heart failure, hypertension, atherosclerosis, and other CVDs. For
example, a greater risk of atherosclerosis and severe cardiovascular events has been
linked to elevated levels of TMAO, whereas the anti-inflammatory and potential
atherogenic properties of SCFAs may offer cardioprotective advantages.
Comprehending the function of gut microbiota metabolites in cardiovascular wellbeing presents opportunities for the creation of innovative treatment approaches and
tailored therapies. Using dietary changes, prebiotics, probiotics, or microbial-based
treatments to target the gut microbiota may present novel strategies for managing and
preventing CVD. However, further research is warranted to elucidate the complex
interactions between gut microbial metabolites, host physiology, and cardiovascular
outcomes, paving the way for more effective strategies to combat CVDs in the future.
Keywords: Atherosclerosis, Bile, Hypertension, Inflammation, Lipids, LPS, Metabolites, Microbiota, Prevention, Probiotics, Prebiotics.
