2024-04-10 16:00:45
Researchers have discovered that microbes in the gut play a significant role in influencing cardiovascular disease. This finding builds on previous research that has linked the gut microbiota to various health conditions such as diabetes and obesity. Through the Framingham Heart Study, researchers identified specific bacteria in the gut that can break down cholesterol, paving the way for treatments to change the gut microbiota to improve heart health.
The impact of the intestinal microbiota on cardiovascular diseases
Over the past decade, researchers have discovered links between the composition of the gut microbiota and aspects of cardiovascular disease, such as triglyceride and blood sugar levels after meals. However, the development of treatments targeting these links has proven difficult due to an incomplete understanding of metabolic processes in the gut.
A recent study by researchers at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, in collaboration with Massachusetts General Hospital, has increased our understanding of the effects of gut microbes on metabolism. The researchers used a powerful method called shotgun metagenomic sequencing to examine the DNA of all the microorganisms present in a given sample. They also used metabolomics to measure the quantities of hundreds of known substances and even thousands of still unidentified substances produced by these organisms.
Gut bacteria to reduce cholesterol levels
The study revealed more than 16,000 connections between microbes and metabolic traits, with one particularly notable finding: individuals harboring multiple species of bacteria in the genus Oscillibacter had lower cholesterol levels than those who did not have these bacteria. Oscillibacter species have been found to be quite widespread in the gut, accounting for approximately one in a hundred bacteria.
To understand how these microbes metabolize cholesterol, researchers sought to identify the biochemical pathway involved, which required culturing the organism in the laboratory. Fortunately, the lab had spent years collecting bacteria from stool samples, building a unique collection that included Oscillibacter species. The researchers then used mass spectrometry to identify likely byproducts created when the bacteria metabolize cholesterol, allowing them to understand the methods these bacteria use to reduce cholesterol levels.
They discovered that bacteria convert cholesterol into substances that other bacteria can further break down and which the body can then eliminate.r. In addition, the team identified another intestinal bacteria, Eubacterium coprostanoligenes, which also plays a role in lowering cholesterol. This bacteria contains a gene known to be involved in cholesterol metabolism. Researchers have observed that Eubacterium can work together with Oscillibacter to further reduce cholesterol levels.
Using probiotics to target cholesterol
Probiotics are increasingly being studied for their impact on human health. Researchers have discovered the cholesterol-metabolizing properties of Oscillibacter bacteria, opening the possibility of using this probiotic strain as a therapeutic agent to treat high cholesterol levels. However, it should be noted that this study was performed in vitro and it is still too early to determine whether the effects of cholesterol from this organism can be replicated in the human body. In addition, other possible effects of this bacteria on the human body still need to be studied.
Further research in real patients is essential to determine whether this organism may play a beneficial role in reducing cholesterol absorption. In the meantime, it is recommended to maintain a balanced diet and consult a healthcare professional to evaluate existing treatment options.
The discovery that certain gut bacteria can help reduce cholesterol levels opens new avenues for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease. Future research should focus on understanding the interactions between different species of gut bacteria and how they influence human health. By using probiotics or other methods to modify the gut microbiota, it may be possible to reduce the risk of cholesterol-related heart disease.
It is important to note that these findings are still at a preliminary stage and require further validation through clinical studies. In the meantime, it is recommended to maintain a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet and regular physical activity, to reduce the risk of heart disease. It is also advisable to consult a healthcare professional before making any significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.
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