An Exploration of the Relationship Between Gut Virome and Cardiovascular Disease: A Comprehensive Review

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Cardiology
• Virology

Background:

• The gut virome, comprising bacteriophages and eukaryotic viruses, significantly influences host health by interacting with the gut microbiota and immune system.
• Alterations in the gut virome composition are increasingly linked to various cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), such as hypertension, atherosclerosis, and heart failure.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the association between the gut virome and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs).
• To investigate the potential mechanisms through which the gut virome may contribute to CVD progression.

Main Methods:

• Literature review synthesizing findings from previous studies on gut virome and CVDs.
• Analysis of the interplay between gut viruses, intestinal microecology, host immunity, and cardiovascular health.

Main Results:

• The gut virome plays a role in regulating intestinal microecology, immune responses, and intestinal barrier function, all of which can impact CVD development.
• Evidence suggests a correlation between specific gut virome alterations and conditions like hypertension, atherosclerosis, atrial fibrillation, heart failure, and viral myocarditis.

Conclusions:

• The gut virome is implicated in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases through modulation of host-microbial-immune interactions.
• Further research into the gut virome's mechanisms and therapeutic potential is crucial for advancing CVD diagnosis and treatment, aided by improved virus databases and sequencing technologies.