No abstract

Scope Gut dysbiosis and dysregulation of the gut‐brain‐axis contributes to the pathogenesis of hypertension. Vitamin C (VC) is a common dietary supplement that shows the ability to lower the elevated blood pressure in hypertensive animals. Thus, the hypothesis that the gut microbiota is involved in the anti‐hypertensive effect of VC is proposed. Methods and Results The changes of the gut microbiota and pathology in a spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) model after daily oral intake of VC in dosage of 200 or 1000 mg kg−1 are examined. After 4 weeks, the elevated blood pressure of SHRs in both VC‐treated groups is attenuated. Sequencing of the gut microbiota shows improvement in its diversity and abundance. Bioinformatic analysis suggests restored metabolism and biosynthesis‐related functions of the gut, which are confirmed by the improvement of gut pathology and integrity. Analysis of the hypothalamus paraventricular nucleus (PVN), the central pivot of blood pressure regulation, also shows reduced inflammatory responses and oxidative stress. Conclusions The reduced blood pressure, enriched gut microbiota, improved gut pathology and integrity, and reduced inflammatory responses and oxidative stress in the PVN together suggest that the anti‐hypertensive effects of VC involve reshaping of gut microbiota composition and function.

Mol. Nutr. Food Res. 2021, 65, 2000885 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/mnfr.202000885 Hypertensive rats receiving daily oral Vitamin C intake showed reduction in their blood pressure. Analysis suggested improvements in the diversity and abundance of their gut microbiota, which contributed to restore the gut structure and function, and reduced the pro‐inflammatory cytokines in both gut and hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus. Together, Vitamin C influences the gut microbiota in achievement of its anti‐hypertensive effects. This is reported by Ying Li, Rawya Mohamed Salih Ibrahim, Hong‐Li Chi, Tong Xiao, Wen‐Jie Xia, Hong‐Bao Li, Yu‐Ming Kang in article 2000885.