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Published on: January 26, 2024
Research progress on the correlation between gut microbiota and preeclampsia: microbiome changes, mechanisms and
Yichi Zong1, Xuguang Wang2, Jun Wang1
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China.
Insights
Changes in maternal gut microbiota are linked to preeclampsia, a serious pregnancy condition. This review explores these gut microbiome alterations and their potential role in preeclampsia development and treatment.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Microbiology
- Immunology
Background:
- Preeclampsia significantly contributes to perinatal mortality.
- Gut microbiota plays a vital role in host metabolism, immunity, and nutrient absorption.
- Alterations in maternal gut microbiota are associated with preeclampsia onset and progression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize current scientific data on gut microbiota changes in preeclampsia.
- To identify the association between gut microbiota and preeclampsia.
- To bridge existing knowledge gaps in this field.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of studies published between 2014 and 2023.
- Searches conducted in PubMed and Web of Science databases.
- Analysis divided into three parts: longitudinal changes, mechanistic pathways, and therapeutic strategies.
Main Results:
- Maternal gut microbiota exhibits longitudinal differences during gestation.
- Gut microbiota influences preeclampsia via systemic immune response, metabolites (e.g., TMAO), vascular factors, and the microorganism-immune axis.
- Potential therapeutic avenues include high-fiber diets, drugs, and microecological regulators.
Conclusions:
- Gut microbiota alterations are implicated in preeclampsia pathogenesis.
- Further research is needed to explore therapeutic interventions targeting the gut microbiome.
- This review offers novel perspectives for preeclampsia prevention and treatment.
Abstract:
Preeclampsia is a specific disease during pregnancy and is a significant factor in the increased mortality in perinatal women. Gut microbiota, an intricate and abundant microbial community in the digestive tract, is crucial for host metabolism, immunity, and nutrient absorption. The onset and progression of preeclampsia are closely correlated with the changes in maternal gut microbiota. Research purpose was to compile the existing bits of present scientific data and to close the gap in the knowledge of changes in gut microbiota in preeclampsia and their association with preeclampsia. We searched studies from two electronic databases (PubMed and Web of Science) included from 2014 to 2023. This review is divided into three parts. In the first part, the author elaborates longitudinal differences of maternal gut microbiota during different gestation periods. In the second part, we discuss that gut microbiota can lead to the occurrence of preeclampsia by systemic immune response, influencing the release of active peptides, short-chain fatty acids, trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) and other metabolites, vascular factors and Microorganism-immune axis. In the third part, we proposed that a high-fiber diet combined with drugs and microecological regulators may be therapeutic in enhancing or preventing the emergence and evolution of preeclampsia, which needs further exploration. Although the pathogenesis of preeclampsia is still nebulous and there is no clear and valid clinical treatment, our study provides new ideas for the pathogenesis, prevention and treatment of preeclampsia.
