Unraveling the Gut-Heart Axis: Microbial Composition Impacting Hypertension
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Abstract
Hypertension, a major global health concern, has recently been linked to the gut microbiota, a complex community of microorganisms that inhabit the gastrointestinal tract. Emerging research suggests that the gut microbiota plays a crucial role in blood pressure regulation through various mechanisms, including modulation of metabolic pathways, immune responses, and neurohumoral regulation. Dysbiosis, an imbalance in gut microbial composition, has been implicated in the onset and progression of hypertension, where alterations in the production of short-chain fatty acids, inflammatory mediators, and metabolites like trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) and lipopolysaccharides (LPS) contribute to vascular dysfunction and elevated blood pressure. In addition to microbial imbalances, lifestyle factors such as diet, exercise, and natural medicines have shown therapeutic promise by positively influencing gut microbiota composition, thus aiding in hypertension management. In contrast, the indiscriminate use of antibiotics has been found to exacerbate hypertension by disrupting microbial diversity and triggering systemic inflammation. This review delves into the complex relationship between the gut microbiota and hypertension, emphasizing the role of microbiota-derived metabolites, immune modulation, and microbial interactions in regulating blood pressure. It highlights promising therapeutic approaches targeting gut health, including dietary modifications, probiotics, and fecal microbiota transplantation, while stressing the importance of further research to optimize microbiome-based interventions for hypertension management.
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