Diet, Gut Microbiota, and Intestinal Permeability: Emerging Mechanisms in Hypertension Pathogenesis

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Gastroenterology
• Cardiovascular Science

Background:

• Hypertension is a major global health issue driven by complex genetic and environmental factors.
• The gut microbiome and intestinal barrier function are increasingly recognized as key regulators of blood pressure.
• Microbial metabolites and gut permeability influence vascular and renal health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the current evidence linking diet, gut microbiota, and intestinal permeability to hypertension.
• To integrate mechanistic insights from preclinical models with human data.
• To propose the gut as a modifiable target for hypertension prevention and treatment.

Main Methods:

• Literature review synthesizing preclinical and human studies.
• Analysis of the role of microbial metabolites (e.g., SCFAs) in blood pressure regulation.
• Examination of the impact of gut barrier integrity and microbial translocation on systemic inflammation and hypertension.

Main Results:

• Alterations in gut microbial composition and metabolites are associated with hypertension.
• Increased intestinal permeability allows microbial products to trigger inflammation, leading to dysfunction.
• Diet profoundly impacts the gut microbiome and barrier function, influencing hypertension risk.

Conclusions:

• The gut microbiome and barrier integrity are critical modifiable factors in hypertension.
• Dietary strategies promoting gut health can restore microbial balance and barrier function.
• Integrative, gut-targeted approaches hold significant potential for managing hypertension.