Gut Microbiota and Metabolic Alterations Associated with Heart Failure and Coronary Artery Disease

Area of Science:

• Microbiome research
• Cardiovascular disease research
• Metabolomics

Background:

• The gut microbiota plays a crucial role in host health and disease.
• Alterations in gut microbial composition are increasingly associated with cardiovascular diseases (CVD).
• Specific microbial metabolites may influence the development of atherosclerosis and heart failure.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between gut microbiota composition and pro-atherogenic metabolites in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF).
• To identify key microbial features and their interactions linked to CAD and HFrEF using advanced analytical techniques.
• To compare gut microbiota profiles and metabolite levels between CVD patients and healthy controls.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional study of 189 participants (93 CAD, 43 HFrEF, 53 controls).
• Gut microbiota analyzed via next-generation sequencing (NGS) and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR).
• Network analysis, machine learning, and statistical methods (including diversity analyses) applied to identify microbial signatures and metabolite correlations.

Main Results:

• Significant differences in gut microbiota composition were observed, with higher Bacillota/Bacteroidota ratios in CAD and HFrEF groups (p < 0.001).
• Reduced alpha-diversity (Pielou, Chao1, Faith) and distinct beta-diversity profiles were noted in disease groups (p < 0.001).
• Lower trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) levels were found in CAD and HFrEF patients compared to controls (p < 0.05).

Conclusions:

• Gut microbiota composition is significantly altered in patients with CAD and HFrEF.
• Specific microbial shifts and altered metabolite profiles are associated with cardiovascular disease.
• Network and machine learning analyses reveal complex gut microbial interactions implicated in CVD pathogenesis.