Metagenomic Analysis of Gut Microbiota for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

Objectives: The pathophysiological mechanism of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) remains unclear. We previously reported that Bifidobacterium adolescentis levels were reduced in the feces of patients with AAA by 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid (RNA) gene sequencing. In this study, we increased the number of cases and conducted metagenomic analyses to examine bacterial genes associated with the pathophysiology of AAA. Methods: For gut microbiota data, feces from 55 patients with AAA and 52 patients with no history of AAA, lower extremity artery disease, or coronary artery disease (control group) were collected. Metagenomic analysis was performed by collecting raw stool samples from patients. For intestinal microbiota analysis, metagenomic analysis of the fecal samples was performed. Results: Oral bacteria, including Actinomyces oris (p <0.0001), Streptococcus salivarius (p <0.001), Lactobacillus salivarius (p <0.001), and Streptococcus sp. (p <0.001), were increased in the feces of patients with AAA. In addition, bacterial genes related to alpha lipoic acid (ALA) biosynthesis (M00882, M00883, and M00884, p <0.0001) were decreased in patients with AAA. Conclusions: In the feces of patients with AAA, there was an increase in oral bacteria, and the expression of bacterial genes related to ALA biosynthesis was reduced. The results suggest the possibility of developing gut microbial drug treatments for AAA.