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Research Feed 
Update History 2024-11-11 13:07:49
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Did you know?
Gut microbiota-derived metabolite trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) is strongly linked to cardiovascular disease, potentially influencing atherosclerosis more than cholesterol, making the gut microbiome a key therapeutic target.
Cardiovascular Health
Researched by:
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Karen Pendergrass
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Karen Pendergrass
Read MoreKaren Pendergrass is a microbiome researcher specializing in microbiome-targeted interventions (MBTIs). She systematically analyzes scientific literature to identify microbial patterns, develop hypotheses, and validate interventions. As the founder of the Microbiome Signatures Database, she bridges microbiome research with clinical practice. In 2012, based on her own investigative research, she became the first documented case of FMT for Celiac Disease—four years before the first published case study.
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Kimberly Eyer
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Kimberly Eyer
Read MoreKimberly Eyer, a Registered Nurse with 30 years of nursing experience across diverse settings, including Home Health, ICU, Operating Room Nursing, and Research. Her roles have encompassed Operating Room Nurse, RN First Assistant, and Acting Director of a Same Day Surgery Center. Her specialty areas include Adult Cardiac Surgery, Congenital Cardiac Surgery, Vascular Surgery, and Neurosurgery.
Recent research has revealed that specific gut microbiota-derived metabolites are strongly linked to cardiovascular disease risk—potentially influencing atherosclerosis development more than traditional risk factors like cholesterol levels. This highlights the gut microbiome as a novel therapeutic target for cardiovascular interventions.
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Karen Pendergrass
Read More
Researched by:
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Karen Pendergrass
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Karen Pendergrass
Read More
Fact-checked by:
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Kimberly Eyer
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Kimberly Eyer
Read More
Microbiome Signatures identifies and validates condition-specific microbiome shifts and interventions to accelerate clinical translation. Our multidisciplinary team supports clinicians, researchers, and innovators in turning microbiome science into actionable medicine.
Microbiome Signatures
Overview
Cardiovascular health encompasses the overall well-being of the heart and blood vessels, which are responsible for circulating blood throughout the body. It involves maintaining the proper function and structure of the heart (cardiac health) and the vascular system (arteries, veins, and capillaries), ensuring that organs and tissues receive adequate oxygen and nutrients. In the cardiovascular health category, you’ll find comprehensive information about various cardiovascular conditions as they relate to the microbiome, including heart failure, hypertension, atherosclerosis, and more. Each condition will be explored in the context of its microbiome signature, helping you understand how gut health and microbial balance impact overall cardiovascular well-being and providing insights into potential microbiome-targeted interventions (MBTIs).
All Conditions
The microbiome signatures database is an evolving resource designed to catalog the unique microbial patterns associated with various health conditions. While not yet comprehensive, the database currently includes microbiome signatures for a limited number of conditions. As research advances, additional signatures will be added, expanding our understanding of the microbiome’s role in health and disease. This ongoing effort aims to provide a more complete and valuable tool for researchers and clinicians in the near future.
Gut-Heart Axis
The gut-heart axis refers to the intricate connection between the gastrointestinal system, particularly the gut microbiome, and cardiovascular health. Recent research has highlighted how gut bacteria influence the development and progression of cardiovascular diseases, such as heart failure, atherosclerosis, and hypertension. This connection is mediated through key pathways involving gut-derived metabolites like Trimethylamine N-Oxide (TMAO), which promotes inflammation and cardiac dysfunction, and SCFAs, which have protective effects. Understanding the gut-heart axis opens new avenues for diagnostic and therapeutic interventions, such as dietary modifications, probiotics, and potential pharmacological approaches aimed at optimizing cardiovascular health by targeting the gut microbiome.
What is the gut-heart axis?
What is the gut-heart axis?
The gut-heart axis is the complex and bidirectional communication between the gut microbiome and the cardiovascular system. It involves how gut bacteria and their metabolites influence heart health and contribute to cardiovascular diseases.
What are the key metabolites involved in the gut-heart axis?
What are the key metabolites involved in the gut-heart axis?
The key metabolites include Trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), which is associated with increased cardiovascular risk, and Short-Chain Fatty Acids (SCFAs), which support heart health by reducing inflammation and providing energy.
Can dietary changes influence the gut-heart axis?
Can dietary changes influence the gut-heart axis?
Yes, dietary changes can significantly influence the gut-heart axis. Diets rich in fiber and low in red meat can promote a healthy gut microbiome, reducing the production of harmful metabolites like TMAO and increasing beneficial SCFAs.
How could the gut-heart axis impact future cardiovascular treatments?
How could the gut-heart axis impact future cardiovascular treatments?
Understanding the gut-heart axis could lead to new treatments targeting the gut microbiome, such as specific diets, probiotics, and drugs that modulate gut bacteria or their metabolites. This approach could offer personalized therapies for improving cardiovascular health.
How does the gut microbiome affect cardiovascular health?
How does the gut microbiome affect cardiovascular health?
The gut microbiome affects cardiovascular health through the production of metabolites like Trimethylamine N-Oxide (TMAO), which is linked to inflammation and cardiac dysfunction, and SCFAs, which have anti-inflammatory and protective effects on the heart. Dysbiosis, or an imbalance in gut bacteria, can exacerbate cardiovascular conditions.
Are probiotics beneficial for cardiovascular health?
Are probiotics beneficial for cardiovascular health?
Probiotics, which introduce beneficial bacteria to the gut, have shown potential in improving cardiovascular health by modulating the gut microbiome. They may help reduce inflammation and support heart function, although more research is needed.
What is the potential of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) in treating heart conditions?
What is the potential of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) in treating heart conditions?
Fecal Microbiota Transplantation (FMT), which involves transplanting healthy stool into a patient’s gut, is being investigated for its potential to restore a healthy microbiome and improve cardiovascular outcomes. While primarily used for other conditions, its application in heart disease is an area of active research.
Research Feed
Altered Gut Microbiota in Chronic Heart Failure: A Pathway to New Therapies
January 31, 2022
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Cardiovascular Health
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Cardiovascular Health
Did you know?
Gut microbiota-derived metabolite trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) is strongly linked to cardiovascular disease, potentially influencing atherosclerosis more than cholesterol, making the gut microbiome a key therapeutic target.
Heart Failure
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Heart Failure
Did you know?
Heart Failure affects approximately 64.3 million people worldwide, yet nearly half of them are unaware they have it because the symptoms can be subtle or mistaken for other conditions.
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Evidence of a causal and modifiable relationship between kidney function and circulating trimethylamine N-oxide
September 20, 2023
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Cardiovascular Health
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Cardiovascular Health
Did you know?
Gut microbiota-derived metabolite trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) is strongly linked to cardiovascular disease, potentially influencing atherosclerosis more than cholesterol, making the gut microbiome a key therapeutic target.
Alias iure reprehenderit aut accusantium. Molestiae dolore suscipit. Necessitatibus eum quaerat. Repudiandae suscipit quo necessitatibus. Voluptatibus ullam nulla temporibus nobis. Atque eaque sed totam est assumenda. Porro modi soluta consequuntur veritatis excepturi minus delectus reprehenderit est. Eveniet labore ut quas minima aliquid quibusdam. Vitae possimus fuga praesentium eveniet debitis exercitationem deleniti.
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Microbiome Insiders can read two study summaries for any topic on Microbiome.
Gut microbiota in heart failure and related interventions
July 10, 2023
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Cardiovascular Health
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Cardiovascular Health
Did you know?
Gut microbiota-derived metabolite trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) is strongly linked to cardiovascular disease, potentially influencing atherosclerosis more than cholesterol, making the gut microbiome a key therapeutic target.
Alias iure reprehenderit aut accusantium. Molestiae dolore suscipit. Necessitatibus eum quaerat. Repudiandae suscipit quo necessitatibus. Voluptatibus ullam nulla temporibus nobis. Atque eaque sed totam est assumenda. Porro modi soluta consequuntur veritatis excepturi minus delectus reprehenderit est. Eveniet labore ut quas minima aliquid quibusdam. Vitae possimus fuga praesentium eveniet debitis exercitationem deleniti.
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Microbiome Insiders can read two study summaries for any topic on Microbiome.
TMAO: how gut microbiota contributes to heart failure
August 21, 2020
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Cardiovascular Health
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Cardiovascular Health
Did you know?
Gut microbiota-derived metabolite trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) is strongly linked to cardiovascular disease, potentially influencing atherosclerosis more than cholesterol, making the gut microbiome a key therapeutic target.
Alias iure reprehenderit aut accusantium. Molestiae dolore suscipit. Necessitatibus eum quaerat. Repudiandae suscipit quo necessitatibus. Voluptatibus ullam nulla temporibus nobis. Atque eaque sed totam est assumenda. Porro modi soluta consequuntur veritatis excepturi minus delectus reprehenderit est. Eveniet labore ut quas minima aliquid quibusdam. Vitae possimus fuga praesentium eveniet debitis exercitationem deleniti.
Create a free account to unlock this study summary.
Microbiome Insiders can read two study summaries for any topic on Microbiome.
Update History
Heart Failure
Recent research reveals that the gut microbiome significantly influences heart failure progression, contributing to inflammation and other complications.
Microbiome-Targeted Interventions (MBTIs)
Microbiome Targeted Interventions (MBTIs) are cutting-edge treatments that utilize information from Microbiome Signatures to modulate the microbiome, revolutionizing medicine with unparalleled precision and impact.
Heart Failure
Recent research reveals that the gut microbiome significantly influences heart failure progression, contributing to inflammation and other complications.
Heart Failure
Recent research reveals that the gut microbiome significantly influences heart failure progression, contributing to inflammation and other complications.
Trimethylamine N-Oxide (TMAO)
TMAO is a metabolite formed when gut bacteria convert dietary nutrients like choline and L-carnitine into trimethylamine (TMA), which is then oxidized in the liver to TMAO. This compound is linked to cardiovascular disease, as it promotes atherosclerosis, thrombosis, and inflammation, highlighting the crucial role of gut microbiota in influencing heart health.
Trimethylamine N-Oxide (TMAO)
TMAO is a metabolite formed when gut bacteria convert dietary nutrients like choline and L-carnitine into trimethylamine (TMA), which is then oxidized in the liver to TMAO. This compound is linked to cardiovascular disease, as it promotes atherosclerosis, thrombosis, and inflammation, highlighting the crucial role of gut microbiota in influencing heart health.
Trimethylamine N-Oxide (TMAO)
TMAO is a metabolite formed when gut bacteria convert dietary nutrients like choline and L-carnitine into trimethylamine (TMA), which is then oxidized in the liver to TMAO. This compound is linked to cardiovascular disease, as it promotes atherosclerosis, thrombosis, and inflammation, highlighting the crucial role of gut microbiota in influencing heart health.
Fecal Microbiota Transplantation (FMT)
Fecal Microbiota Transplantation (FMT) involves transferring fecal bacteria from a healthy donor to a patient to restore microbiome balance.