Alterations of gut microbiota are associated with blood pressure: a cross-sectional clinical trial in Northwestern China.

Jing Lv, Jihan Wang, Yan Yu, Mengyao Zhao, Wenjuan Yang, Junye Liu, Yan Zhao, Yanjie Yang, Guodong Wang, Lei Guo, Heping Zhao

Journal: Journal of translational medicine 2023;21(1):429

PMID: 37391847

Free Full Text on BioMed Central View on PubMed

Plain Language Summary

Hypertension (HTN) is a complex and modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and stroke, while a diverse range of endogenous and environmental factors contribute to both HTN onset and progression. The adult gut microbiota (GM) consists of trillions of microorganisms and maintains the gut immunity and whole-body homeostasis. The aim of this study was to investigate the GM characteristics in HTN subjects in Northwestern China, and evaluate the associations of GM with blood pressure levels based on sex differences. This study was a cross-sectional study. Participants were randomly selected for the HTN and control groups. A total of 36 HTN subjects (24 females and 12 males) and 18 controls (9 females and 9 males) were randomly selected for metagenomic analysis. Results showed a positive association between GM characteristics and alterations and HTN in both females and males. Thus, GM dysbiosis underlies HTN pathogenesis. Authors conclude that further studies are needed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and potential therapeutic interventions targeting GM for HTN prevention and management

Abstract

BACKGROUND

The human gut microbiota (GM) is involved in the pathogenesis of hypertension (HTN), and could be affected by various factors, including sex and geography. However, available data directly linking GM to HTN based on sex differences are limited.

METHODS

This study investigated the GM characteristics in HTN subjects in Northwestern China, and evaluate the associations of GM with blood pressure levels based on sex differences. A total of 87 HTN subjects and 45 controls were recruited with demographic and clinical characteristics documented. Fecal samples were collected for 16S rRNA gene sequencing and metagenomic sequencing.

RESULTS

GM diversity was observed higher in females compared to males, and principal coordinate analysis showed an obvious segregation of females and males. Four predominant phyla of fecal GM included Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria and Proteobacteria. LEfSe analysis indicated that phylum unidentified_Bacteria was enriched in HTN females, while Leuconostocaceae, Weissella and Weissella_cibaria were enriched in control females (P < 0.05). Functionally, ROC analysis revealed that Cellular Processes (0.796, 95% CI 0.620 ~ 0.916), Human Diseases (0.773, 95% CI 0.595 ~ 0.900), Signal transduction (0.806, 95% CI 0.631 ~ 0.922) and Two-component system (0.806, 95% CI 0.631 ~ 0.922) could differentiate HTN females as effective functional classifiers, which were also positively correlated with systolic blood pressure levels.

CONCLUSIONS

This work provides evidence of fecal GM characteristics in HTN females and males in a northwestern Chinese population, further supporting the notion that GM dysbiosis may participate in the pathogenesis of HTN, and the role of sex differences should be considered. Trial registration Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR1800019191. Registered 30 October 2018 - Retrospectively registered, http://www.chictr.org.cn/ .

Address: Department of Clinical Laboratory, Honghui Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.; Institute of Medical Research, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, China.; Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.; Department of Quality Control, Xi'an Mental Health Center, Xi'an, China.; Department of Spine Surgery, Honghui Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China. [email protected].; Department of Clinical Laboratory, Honghui Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China. [email protected].

DOI: 10.1186/s12967-023-04176-6