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Akkermansia muciniphila in cardiovascular diseases: opportunities and challenges

Shihao Li1, Chuanmeng Zhang2, Min Sha2

  • 1The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China.

Frontiers in Microbiology
|July 9, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Akkermansia muciniphila (A. muciniphila) shows promise in preventing cardiovascular disease (CVD) by improving gut health and metabolism. However, its effects can be detrimental in certain conditions, necessitating personalized therapeutic strategies.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Gut Microbiome Research

Background:

  • Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading global cause of mortality.
  • The gut microbiota's role in cardiovascular health is an emerging area of research.
  • Akkermansia muciniphila (A. muciniphila) is a key gut bacterium with potential therapeutic applications.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the beneficial effects and mechanisms of A. muciniphila in cardiovascular disease (CVD).
  • To explore the dual role of A. muciniphila as both protective and potentially harmful in CVD.
  • To highlight factors influencing A. muciniphila abundance and its implications for personalized medicine.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies investigating A. muciniphila and cardiovascular health.
  • Analysis of mechanisms by which A. muciniphila impacts hypertension, atherosclerosis, heart failure, and abdominal aortic aneurysm.
  • Examination of factors modulating A. muciniphila abundance, including diet and medication.

Main Results:

  • A. muciniphila demonstrates protective effects against various CVDs by enhancing gut barrier function, regulating metabolism, and modulating immune responses.
  • Production of beneficial metabolites like short-chain fatty acids by A. muciniphila contributes to its cardioprotective effects.
  • Under pathological conditions (e.g., damaged gut barrier, low-fiber diet), A. muciniphila can exhibit detrimental effects, exacerbating inflammation and disease progression.

Conclusions:

  • A. muciniphila possesses a "double-edged sword" character in cardiovascular health, with both beneficial and detrimental potential.
  • Individual factors such as diet, medication, and baseline gut microbiota composition significantly influence A. muciniphila's impact.
  • Further research is needed to optimize A. muciniphila's clinical application in CVD therapy, focusing on strain specificity, dosage, and delivery systems.

Keywords:
Akkermansia muciniphilacardiovascular diseasesclinical translationgut microbiotagut-heart axis

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