Does the Composition of Gut Microbiota Affect Hypertension? Molecular Mechanisms Involved in Increasing Blood Pressure

Abstract

Arterial hypertension is a chronic disease which is very prevalent contemporarily. The aim of this review was to investigate the impact of gut microbiota on the development and potential treatment of hypertension, taking into consideration underlying molecular mechanisms. The bacteria present in the intestines have the ability to secrete different metabolites, which might play a significant role in the regulation of blood pressure. The most important include short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), vasoactive hormones, trimethylamine (TMA) and trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) and uremic toxins, such as indoxyl sulfate (IS) and p-cresyl sulfate (PCS). Their action in regulating blood pressure is mainly based on their pro- or anti-inflammatory function. The use of specifically formulated probiotics to modify the composition of gut microbiota might be a beneficial way of supportive treatment of hypertension; however, further research on this topic is needed to choose the species of bacteria that could induce the hypotensive pattern.

Molecular Processes Involved in the Shared Pathways between Cardiovascular Diseases and Diabetes

“…Moreover, the gut microbiota has a genuine effect on both diabetes and CVDs. Due to the fact that these diseases could lead to severe complications for the patient, relying entirely on probiotics may be insufficient; however, it is highly recommended to enrich the treatment with the intake of probiotics [145]. Further research on this topic is needed to fully establish the composition of the most-effective probiotic treatment in both CVDs and diabetes.…”

“…The most popular type of probiotics consists of the four most-common species: Streptococcus sp. Bifidobacterium sp., Lactobacillus sp., and Enterococcus sp., and their sources might be dietary such as yogurt, cheese, or fermented products, which could present beneficial effects if consumed on a regular basis [144,145].…”

Microbial influence on blood pressure: unraveling the complex relationship for health insights

“…Additionally, flavonoids have been reported to have vasodilatory and antihypertensive effects [49] . The phytochemical indole-3-carbinol, which is obtained from cruciferous vegetables, has demonstrated anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antihypertensive, and antiarrhythmic properties [50] . Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of some microbial metabolites may help regulate BP and have great potential for therapeutic treatments [51] .…”

Which Comes First, Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease or Arterial Hypertension?

“…The mechanisms of the gut microbiota impact on the development and progression of NAFLD and AH are caused by complex interactions between the gut microbiota and the host organism. Likely factors include metabolism of choline, bile acids, and amino acids resulting in synthesis of vasoactive hormones, such as trimethylamine (TMA) and trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), uremic toxins (indoxyl sulfate and p-cresol sulfate), as well as production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and ethanol by intestinal microorganisms [ 94 , 95 ]. Next, we discuss the role of SCFAs, TMA, and intestinal permeability in the pathogenesis of both AH and NAFLD.…”

“…The most important and biologically active SCFAs include acetate, propionate, and butyrate; they are made from dietary fiber in the intestines. Regarding their role in the pathogenesis of AH, animal studies suggested that SCFAs may have both hypotensive and hypertensive effects depending on the receptors they bind to [ 95 , 96 ]. For instance, propionate-induced activation of the G protein-coupled receptor (GPR) 42 in vascular endothelium caused a decrease in BP in Olfr78−/− mice [ 97 ].…”