Cross-talk between microbiota-gut-brain axis and blood pressure regulation

Area of Science:

• Microbiome research
• Cardiovascular science
• Neurogastroenterology

Background:

• Hypertension affects one in three adults globally, with 50% failing to achieve adequate blood pressure control.
• Diet, particularly high-fibre intake, influences blood pressure regulation via the gut microbiome and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs).
• The precise mechanisms by which SCFAs regulate blood pressure remain unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the hypothesis that microbial metabolites (SCFAs) regulate blood pressure via the gut-brain axis.
• To review existing evidence on the role of SCFAs in hypertension.
• To elucidate the pathways involved in gut microbiome-to-brain communication for blood pressure regulation.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of animal models and human studies.
• Analysis of SCFA-mediated signaling pathways.
• Exploration of the gut-brain axis in hypertension.

Main Results:

• SCFAs stimulate enteroendocrine cells to release neurotransmitters and hormones (e.g., serotonin, GLP-1).
• These hormones signal to the brain via the peripheral nervous system (e.g., vagus nerve).
• Gut microbiome communication to the brain involves immune and neuroendocrine pathways.

Conclusions:

• The gut-brain axis, modulated by SCFAs, presents a novel mechanism for blood pressure regulation.
• Further understanding of these pathways is crucial for developing new therapeutics for hypertension and cardiovascular diseases.