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Updated: Sep 15, 2025
Murine Fecal Isolation and Microbiota Transplantation
Published on: May 26, 2023
Young microbiome transplantation enhances recovery after myocardial infarction
Min-Yi You1, Tony W H Tang1, Suminani Novita1
1Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan.
Background:
The relationship between aging, gut microbiota, and cardiac repair after myocardial infarction (MI) remains unclear. Understanding this interaction may provide novel strategies for improving cardiovascular outcomes in the elderly.
Methods:
Aged mice were treated with antibiotics followed by fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) from young or aged donors prior to MI. Cardiac function, gut integrity, immune signaling, and metabolism were evaluated. Gut microbiota and plasma metabolites were also profiled in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients across age groups.
Results:
Young FMT improved post-MI cardiac function and reduced infarct size in aged mice. It preserved intestinal barrier integrity, reduced IL-17A-positive immune cells, and attenuated age-related intestinal shortening. Aging was associated with decreased microbial diversity, loss of beneficial taxa such as Akkermansia, and enrichment of inflammatory pathways. Cardiac metabolomics revealed reduced oxidative metabolism and increased lipid reliance in aged mice. In STEMI patients, aging correlated with lower microbiota diversity, altered taxonomic profiles, and shifts in lipid and amino acid metabolism.
Conclusions:
This study highlights the role of gut microbiota in cardiovascular health and aging. Microbiota transplantation improved cardiac recovery, suggesting its therapeutic potential and offering new insights into the gut-heart axis for future treatments in age-related cardiovascular disease.
Insights
Fecal microbiota transplantation from young donors improved heart repair after myocardial infarction in aged mice. This suggests the gut microbiome influences cardiovascular aging and recovery, offering therapeutic potential.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Science
- Gerontology
- Microbiome Research
Background:
- The interplay between aging, gut microbiota, and cardiac repair post-myocardial infarction (MI) is not well understood.
- Investigating this relationship may reveal new therapeutic targets for elderly cardiovascular health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the impact of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) on cardiac repair in aged mice after MI.
- To explore age-related changes in gut microbiota and their association with cardiac function and metabolism.
Main Methods:
- Aged mice underwent FMT from young or aged donors before MI induction.
- Evaluated cardiac function, gut integrity, immune responses, and metabolic profiles.
- Analyzed gut microbiota and plasma metabolites in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients across age groups.
Main Results:
- Young FMT enhanced post-MI cardiac function and reduced infarct size in aged mice.
- It improved intestinal barrier integrity and reduced inflammatory markers.
- Aging correlated with reduced microbial diversity, altered metabolism, and impaired cardiac recovery.
Conclusions:
- Gut microbiota plays a significant role in cardiovascular health and aging.
- Microbiota transplantation demonstrates therapeutic potential for improving cardiac recovery in aged individuals.
- Findings offer insights into the gut-heart axis for treating age-related cardiovascular diseases.
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