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The Relationship among Physical Activity, Intestinal Flora, and Cardiovascular Disease
Qiuyu Yan1,2, Wenhui Zhai1,2, Chenghao Yang2,3
1Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510100, China.
Insights
Regular physical activity (PA) positively impacts gut microbiota (GM) and intestinal function, offering a promising avenue for preventing cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Understanding this relationship may lead to new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for CVD patients.
Area of Science:
- Integrative biology and medicine
- Microbiome research
- Cardiovascular science
Background:
- Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a leading cause of global morbidity and mortality.
- Gut microbiota (GM) composition and metabolites significantly influence CVD pathogenesis.
- The role of physical activity (PA) in modulating GM and its impact on CVDs requires further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the impact of different types of PA on gut microflora diversity, distribution, and metabolites.
- To explore how PA influences intestinal barrier function, including intestinal permeability.
- To elucidate the mechanisms by which PA affects GM and, consequently, CVDs.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive literature review focusing on studies investigating the interplay between PA, GM, and CVDs.
- Analysis of research on the effects of PA on gut microbiota diversity, metabolites, and intestinal barrier function.
- Synthesis of current knowledge on how GM influences CVD development and progression.
Main Results:
- PA demonstrably influences gut microbiota composition, diversity, and metabolic output.
- Physical activity can enhance intestinal barrier function and reduce permeability.
- Modulation of GM by PA presents a potential mechanism for mitigating CVD risk.
Conclusions:
- PA positively regulates the gut microbiota and intestinal function, impacting cardiovascular health.
- Further understanding of the PA-GM-CVD axis can inform novel prevention and treatment strategies.
- Targeting GM and intestinal function through PA interventions may improve clinical outcomes for CVD patients.
Abstract:
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), which are associated with high morbidity and mortality worldwide, include atherosclerosis (AS), hypertension, heart failure (HF), atrial fibrillation, and myocardial fibrosis. CVDs are influenced by the diversity, distribution, and metabolites of intestinal microflora, and their risk can be reduced through physical activity (PA) such as regular exercise. PA benefits the metabolic changes that occur in the gut microbiota (GM). The major metabolites of the GM influence pathogenesis of CVDs through various pathways. However, the relationship between PA and GM is less well understood. In this review, we discuss the impacts of different types of PA on intestinal microflora including the diversity, distribution, metabolites, and intestinal barrier function including intestinal permeability, with a focus on the mechanisms by which PA affects GM. We also discuss how GM influences CVDs. Finally, we summarize current research and knowledge on the effects of PA on CVD via regulation of the GM and intestinal function. More understanding of relevant relationship between PA and GM may provide hope for the prevention or treatment of CVDs. Furthermore, a better understanding of regulation of the GM and intestinal function may lead to novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies, improving the clinical care of CVD patients.
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