The Contribution of Gut Microbiota and Endothelial Dysfunction in the Development of Arterial Hypertension in Animal Models and in Humans

Abstract

The maintenance of the physiological values of blood pressure is closely related to unchangeable factors (genetic predisposition or pathological alterations) but also to modifiable factors (dietary fat and salt, sedentary lifestyle, overweight, inappropriate combinations of drugs, alcohol abuse, smoking and use of psychogenic substances). Hypertension is usually characterized by the presence of a chronic increase in systemic blood pressure above the threshold value and is an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease, including myocardial infarction, stroke, micro- and macro-vascular diseases. Hypertension is closely related to functional changes in the endothelium, such as an altered production of vasoconstrictive and vasodilator substances, which lead to an increase in vascular resistance. These alterations make the endothelial tissue unresponsive to autocrine and paracrine stimuli, initially determining an adaptive response, which over time lead to an increase in risk or disease. The gut microbiota is composed of a highly diverse bacterial population of approximately 1014 bacteria. A balanced intestinal microbiota preserves the digestive and absorbent functions of the intestine, protecting from pathogens and toxic metabolites in the circulation and reducing the onset of various diseases. The gut microbiota has been shown to produce unique metabolites potentially important in the generation of hypertension and endothelial dysfunction. This review highlights the close connection between hypertension, endothelial dysfunction and gut microbiota.

Microbiota dysbiosis influences immune system and muscle pathophysiology of dystrophin‐deficient mice

“…Previous examination of the mdx muscle microvasculature showed defective endothelial layer and reduced vessels (Bella et al , 2020). Accumulating evidence has shown that gut microbiome can influence the balance of vascular homeostasis (Kiouptsi & Reinhardt, 2018; Battson et al , 2019; Brunt et al , 2019; Maiuolo et al , 2022). Staining of whole TA muscle sections of ABX‐mdx FMT_C57Bl mice demonstrated that eubiotic FMT efficiently increased the number of CD31 + capillaries and small arterioles expressing α‐smooth muscle actin (αSMA) (Fig 7L and M).…”

Association between Mediterranean diet and dementia and Alzheimer disease: a systematic review with meta-analysis

“…Moreover, higher adherence to MedDiet has been associated with higher biodiversity of microbiota, which in turn seems to be associated with a regulation of cognitive functions [ 70 ]. In addition, a state of eubiosis has been shown to help reduce endothelial dysfunction, which is another known risk factor of cognitive [ 71 ].…”

Profile of Gut Bacteria in Hypertensive Patients Based on Terminal Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism Analysis

“…Unique composition of gut microbiota in each sample can be influenced by various things, such as food, intestinal mucosa, drug consumption/abuse, the immune system, and the microbiota itself (Maiuolo et al 2022). Yokoyama et al (2020) have report that blood pressure will be lower in those who consume vegetarian foods than omnivorous foods.…”