Marine Products as Therapeutics for Atherosclerosis Through Modulation of Gut-heart Axis

A bidirectional relationship between cardiovascular health and gut microbiota, established by the gut-heart axis, is a major contributor to the development or prevention of atherosclerosis. Chronic immune-inflammatory and fibro-proliferative atherosclerosis remains a significant global cause of morbidity and death. Bile acids, Short-Chain Fatty Acids (SCFAs), and trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) are examples of gut-derived metabolites that majorly impact inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, and plaque formation.

Data were collected using keywords like 'marine', 'atherosclerosis', 'gut dysbiosis', 'short-chain fatty acids', and 'gut-heart axis' from databases such as PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Scopus. Relevant studies were analysed to evaluate mechanisms linking gut dysbiosis, metabolite modulation, and prevention of atherosclerosis.

Marine-derived bioactive compounds include peptides, carotenoids (Fucoxanthin), polysaccharides (Fucoidan, Alginate), and sterols (Fucosterol), which have anti-inflammatory, lipidlowering, and microbiome-balancing properties, making them promising therapeutic options. These bioactive compounds prevent the progression of atherosclerosis by lowering TMAO levels, increasing SCFA synthesis, improving lipid metabolism, and regulating genes associated with cholesterol metabolism.

The gut-heart axis is a critical contributor to the development and progression of atherosclerosis. Marine natural products have therapeutic potential in the management of atherosclerosis since they act as modulators of gut microbiota and cardiovascular health.

Marine-derived natural products offer a novel therapeutic strategy for prevention and management of atherosclerosis by targeting the gut-heart axis.