Are an Aging Gut and a Decrease in Butyrate Production the Reasons for Atherosclerosis?

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Science
• Gerontology
• Microbiome Research

Background:

• Atherosclerosis (AS) is strongly associated with endothelial cell (EC) aging and damage.
• Aging vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) release signals exacerbating tissue aging and dysfunction.
• Immune cell recruitment and oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) uptake by macrophages contribute to arterial inflammation and plaque formation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review anatomical and physiological changes in aging coronary arteries.
• To identify conditions contributing to atherosclerosis development.
• To highlight the role of gut microbiota in preventing AS, especially in the elderly.

Main Methods:

• Literature review summarizing age-related changes in coronary arteries.
• Analysis of the link between gut microbiome alterations and immune responses in AS.
• Discussion of the protective mechanisms of butyrate-producing gut bacteria.

Main Results:

• Aging ECs struggle to manage signaling molecules, leading to arterial anomalies like fibrosis and calcification.
• Gut microbiome changes in the elderly directly impact immune responses targeting inflamed arteries.
• Specific signaling molecules from gut microbiota interact with receptors on inflamed arteries.

Conclusions:

• Gut microbiota composition significantly influences the aging process of coronary arteries and AS.
• Butyrate-producing bacteria show promise in preventing AS, particularly in the elderly population.
• Targeting the gut microbiome may offer a novel therapeutic strategy for age-related cardiovascular diseases.