Gut microbiota profiles by LDL-C target achievement in statin-treated patients: A cross-sectional study

Hyperlipidemia is linked to gut microbiota alterations, but the impact of statins on the gut microbiome remains unclear, especially concerning different low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) targets. This study explores gut microbiome changes in chronic disease patients under varying LDL-C targets with statin therapy.

A total of 125 patients (77 males and 48 females) diagnosed with chronic diseases, specifically diabetes mellitus (87 %), hypertension (74 %), and chronic kidney disease (48 %), were recruited. Fecal samples were collected from the participants to analyze the composition of the gut microbiota using Illumina sequencing of the 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid gene. The patients were divided into two groups according to LDL-C level, including 57 patients in the LDL-C target-achieved group (LDL-C < 70 mg/dL), and 68 in the LDL-C target-not-achieved group (LDL-C ≥ 70 mg/dL). There were no significant differences in microbial species diversity (Chao1 index and Shannon index), beta diversity and microbial dysbiosis index between the two groups. However, a distinct microbial community structure was found in the LDL-C target-achieved group, with decreased abundances at the genus level of Barnesiella, Coprococcus 1, Flavonifractor, Odoribacter and Coprobacter.

No significant difference in alpha diversity, beta diversity, and microbial dysbiosis index were found between the LDL-C target-achieved and target-not-achieved groups. However, the LDL-C target-achieved group was associated with a significant reduction in short-chain fatty acid-producing bacteria, including taxa Barnesiella, Coprococcus 1, Flavonifractor and Odoribacter.