Genetically determined hypertensive phenotype affects gut microbiota composition, but not vice versa

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Physiology
• Gastroenterology

Background:

• Gut microbiota plays a role in host physiology.
• Reciprocal interactions between gut bacteria and arterial blood pressure (BP) are suggested by research.
• Understanding these interactions is crucial for managing hypertension.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between gut microbiota composition and arterial blood pressure in rats.
• To determine if fecal microbiota transplantation can alter BP and gut bacteria composition in hypertensive rats.

Main Methods:

• Continuous BP monitoring in normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY) and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR).
• Fecal microbiota transplantation between WKY and SHR rats.
• Analysis of gut bacteria composition using 16S rRNA gene sequencing.
• Quantification of microbiota-derived metabolites via HPLC-MS.

Main Results:

• Significant differences in gut bacteria composition and colonic histology were observed between WKY and SHR rats.
• SHR rats exhibited a progressive increase in BP during the study.
• Fecal transplantation did not significantly alter BP or metabolic parameters in either rat strain.
• No long-term changes in gut bacteria composition were observed post-transplantation.

Conclusions:

• Genetically induced hypertension in SHR is associated with gut microbiota and colonic alterations.
• Inter-strain fecal transplantation does not impact BP or long-term gut bacteria composition.
• Host genotype/phenotype may exert a stronger influence on gut bacteria than vice versa regarding BP regulation.