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Updated: Jul 21, 2026
Acute Myocardial Infarction in Rats
Published on: February 16, 2011
The changes of gut microbiota after acute myocardial infarction in rats
Ze-Xuan Wu1,2,3,4, Su-Fang Li1,2,3, Hong Chen1,2,3
1Department of Cardiology, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China.
Abstract:
Recent studies suggested that gut microbiota was involved in the development of coronary artery disease. However, the changes of gut microbiota following acute myocardial infarction (AMI) remain unknown. In this study, a total of 66 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into control, AMI and SHAM groups. The controls (n = 6) were sacrificed after anesthesia. The AMI model was built by ligation of left anterior descending coronary artery. The rats of AMI and SHAM groups were sacrificed at 12 h, 1 d, 3 d, 7 d and 14 d post-operation respectively. Gut microbiota was analyzed by 16S rDNA high throughput sequencing. The gut barrier injuries were evaluated through histopathology, transmission electron microscope and immunohistochemical staining. The richness of gut microbiota was significantly higher in AMI group than SHAM group at 7 d after AMI (P<0.05). Principal coordinate analysis with unweighted UniFrac distances revealed microbial differences between AMI and SHAM groups at 7 d. The gut barrier impairment was also the most significant at 7 d post-AMI. We further identified the differences of microorganisms between AMI and SHAM group at 7 d. The abundance of Synergistetes phylum, Spirochaetes phylum, Lachnospiraceae family, Syntrophomonadaceae family and Tissierella Soehngenia genus was higher in AMI group compared with SHAM group at 7 d post-operation (q<0.05). Our study showed the changes of gut microbiota at day 7 post AMI which was paralleled with intestinal barrier impairment. We also identified the microbial organisms that contribute most.
Insights
Changes in gut microbiota occur 7 days after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in rats, coinciding with intestinal barrier damage. Specific bacterial groups were identified as significantly altered in AMI patients, offering insights into disease mechanisms.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Cardiovascular Science
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Gut microbiota alterations are implicated in coronary artery disease development.
- Specific changes in gut microbiota following acute myocardial infarction (AMI) are not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the dynamic changes in gut microbiota composition and function after AMI.
- To assess the correlation between gut microbiota alterations and intestinal barrier integrity post-AMI.
Main Methods:
- Establishment of an AMI rat model via coronary artery ligation.
- 16S rDNA high-throughput sequencing for gut microbiota analysis.
- Histopathology, electron microscopy, and immunohistochemistry for gut barrier evaluation.
Main Results:
- Gut microbiota richness significantly increased in the AMI group compared to the SHAM group at 7 days post-AMI.
- Distinct microbial community structures were observed between AMI and SHAM groups at 7 days, correlating with peak gut barrier impairment.
- Increased abundance of Synergistetes, Spirochaetes, Lachnospiraceae, Syntrophomonadaceae, and Tissierella Soehngenia was noted in the AMI group at 7 days.
Conclusions:
- Acute myocardial infarction induces significant alterations in gut microbiota composition.
- Intestinal barrier dysfunction is closely associated with gut microbiota changes at 7 days post-AMI.
- Specific microbial taxa may play a role in the pathogenesis of AMI.
