Probiotics Bring New Hope for Atherosclerosis Prevention and Treatment

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Cardiovascular Medicine
• Immunology

Background:

• Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading global cause of death, with atherosclerosis (AS) as its primary driver.
• Current AS treatments have limitations, including residual risks and side effects.
• Emerging evidence links gut microbiota to AS development and progression.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the multifaceted effects of probiotics on AS pathogenesis.
• To highlight probiotics as a potential therapeutic strategy for AS.
• To provide insights for early prevention and treatment of AS.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies investigating probiotics and atherosclerosis.
• Analysis of probiotic impact on cholesterol metabolism, endothelial function, inflammation, and gut microbiota.
• Synthesis of data on probiotics' role in modulating macrophage polarization and combating pathogenic infections.

Main Results:

• Probiotics demonstrate beneficial effects on cholesterol metabolism and endothelial function.
• Probiotics can reduce proinflammatory factor production and influence macrophage polarization.
• Probiotics help restore intestinal flora balance and mitigate pathogenic infections relevant to AS.

Conclusions:

• Probiotics offer a promising, multi-targeted approach to managing atherosclerosis.
• Further research into probiotics could lead to novel strategies for AS prevention and treatment.
• Probiotics represent a potential novel therapeutic agent for cardiovascular disease.