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Identifying Coronary Artery Calcification on Non-gated Computed Tomography Scans
Published on: August 28, 2018
The intestinal microbiota associated with cardiac valve calcification differs from that of coronary artery disease
Zuheng Liu1, Jiaying Li1, Haiyue Liu2
1State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Department of Cardiology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China; Key Laboratory for Organ Failure Research, Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Guangzhou, China.
Insights
Gut microbiome differences were found in cardiac valve calcification (VC) and coronary artery disease (CAD) patients. These gut bacteria may be potential therapeutic targets for cardiovascular disease (CVD).
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Genomics
Background:
- Cardiac valve calcification (VC) and coronary artery disease (CAD) share risk factors but differ clinically.
- Intestinal bacteria are increasingly implicated in cardiovascular disease (CVD).
- Gut microbiota may link to various CVDs despite similar risk factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore gut microbiomes in VC and CAD patients.
- To determine connections between gut microbiota and VC/CAD.
- To identify potential microbial biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
Main Methods:
- 16S rRNA gene sequencing was performed on samples from 119 subjects.
- Analysis included VC patients, CAD patients, and control volunteers.
- Gut microbiome beta-diversity was assessed.
Main Results:
- Significant differences in gut microbiome beta-diversity were observed between VC and CAD patients.
- Specific bacteria were enriched (e.g., Veillonella dispar) or decreased (e.g., Collinsella aerofaciens) in VC patients.
- Prevotella copri and Collinsella aerofaciens were identified as potential keystone bacteria for VC and CAD, respectively.
Conclusions:
- VC and CAD patients exhibit distinct gut microbial dysbiosis.
- Gut microbiomes are associated with clinical characteristics of VC and CAD.
- Gut microbiota represent potential therapeutic targets for these cardiovascular conditions.
Background And Aims:
Although most risk factors for cardiac valve calcification (VC) are similar to those for coronary artery disease (CAD), they differ regarding lesions and clinical symptoms. Recently, increasing evidence suggests that intestinal bacteria play essential roles in cardiovascular disease (CVD). It is plausible that the gut microbiota is linked to the occurrence of different CVDs under similar risk factors. Thus, we aimed to explore the gut microbiomes in patients with VC or CAD and determine their underlying connections.
Methods:
We collected samples from 119 subjects and performed 16S rRNA gene sequencing to analyze the gut microbiomes in VC and CAD patients and in control volunteers.
Results:
The gut microbiomes of VC and CAD patients were significantly different in terms of beta-diversity. Bacteria from Veillonella dispar, Bacteroides plebeius and Fusobacterium were enriched in the VC group, while members of Collinsella aerofaciens, Megamonas, Enterococcus, Megasphaera, Dorea and Blautia were decreased. According to the association with dyslipidemia, seven operational taxonomic units (OTUs), including Parabacteroides distasonis, Megamonas, Fusobacterium, Bacteroides sp., Bacteroides plebeius, Lactobacillus and Prevotella copri, were regarded as potential pathogens for CVDs. Additionally, Prevotella copri might be a keystone of CVDs, especially in VC patients, while Collinsella aerofaciens is a possible keystone of CAD, based on the multi-correlations of these bacteria with other OTUs in microbial communities.
Conclusions:
Patients with VC and CAD suffer from different gut microbial dysbiosis. The gut microbiomes are associated with the clinical characteristics in these diseases and might be potential therapeutic targets.
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