Mechanisms, therapeutic implications, and methodological challenges of gut microbiota and cardiovascular diseases: a position paper by the ESC Working Group on Coronary Pathophysiology and Microcirculation

Dimitris Tousoulis*, Tomasz Guzik, Teresa Padro, Dirk J. Duncker, Giuseppe De Luca, Etto Eringa, Marija Vavlukis, Alexios S. Antonopoulos, Themistoklis Katsimichas, Edina Cenko, Ana Djordjevic-Dikic, Ingrid Fleming, Olivia Manfrini, Danijela Trifunovic, Charalambos Antoniades, Filippo Crea

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articleAcademicpeer-review

26 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The human gut microbiota is the microbial ecosystem in the small and large intestines of humans. It has been naturally preserved and evolved to play an important role in the function of the gastrointestinal tract and the physiology of its host, protecting from pathogen colonization, and participating in vitamin synthesis, the functions of the immune system, as well as glucose homeostasis and lipid metabolism, among others. Mounting evidence from animal and human studies indicates that the composition and metabolic profiles of the gut microbiota are linked to the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease, particularly arterial hypertension, atherosclerosis, and heart failure. In this review article, we provide an overview of the function of the human gut microbiota, summarize, and critically address the evidence linking compositional and functional alterations of the gut microbiota with atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease and discuss the potential of strategies for therapeutically targeting the gut microbiota through various interventions.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)3171-3182
Number of pages12
JournalCardiovascular Research
Volume118
Issue number16
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Dec 2022

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2022 The Author(s). Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Society of Cardiology. All rights reserved.

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