Uncovering the Gut Microbes That May Help Lower Cholesterol and Prevent Heart Disease

Monday - April 8 2024, 04:44 UTC - 9 months ago

A new study has uncovered a potential link between the gut microbiome and cardiovascular disease. Researchers found that a species of bacteria called Oscillibacter may help lower cholesterol levels and decrease the risk of heart disease. The discovery could lead to targeted interventions to manipulate the microbiome and improve heart health. Further research is needed to understand the full impact of the microbiome on overall well-being.

Many diseases have been linked to the gut microbiome, such as type 2 diabetes, obesity, and inflammatory bowel disease. Now, a new study has uncovered a potential link between the microbiome and cardiovascular disease. Published in Cell, the study by researchers at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard and Massachusetts General Hospital examined data from the Framingham Heart Study, a long-term project focused on risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Through their analysis, the team identified specific species of bacteria, called Oscillibacter, that may help lower cholesterol levels and decrease the risk of heart disease in people.

The team, led by Ramnik Xavier, a core institute member at the Broad and a professor at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital, combined shotgun metagenomic sequencing and metabolomics to study stool samples from over 1,400 participants in the Framingham Heart Study. Metagenomic sequencing profiles all of the microbial DNA in a sample, while metabolomics measures the levels of various metabolites. By using these tools, the team was able to uncover over 16,000 associations between microbes and metabolic traits. However, the association between Oscillibacter and lower cholesterol levels was particularly strong.

The researchers also identified the mechanism by which Oscillibacter may contribute to lower cholesterol levels. The bacteria are capable of consuming and metabolizing cholesterol from their surroundings, leading to decreased levels of cholesterol in the gut. This finding suggests that targeted interventions could potentially manipulate the microbiome and help decrease cholesterol levels in people.

Xavier emphasized the importance of integrating data from human subjects with experimental validation in order to gain a better understanding of how the microbiome affects health and disease. He stated, "Our research integrates findings from human subjects with experimental validation to ensure we achieve actionable mechanistic insight that will serve as starting points to improve cardiovascular health." .

This study builds upon previous research linking the microbiome to various aspects of cardiovascular disease and highlights the need for a more complete understanding of the gut microbiome. With a better understanding of the metabolic pathways involved, researchers may be able to develop targeted therapies to improve cardiovascular health.

In addition to its role in heart health, the microbiome has also been linked to various other aspects of health, such as skin, respiratory, and mental health. With continued research and understanding, the gut microbiome may prove to be a key factor in overall well-being.