Analysis of structural features of gut microbiota in two-kidney-one-clip hypertensive rats based on high-throughput sequencing technology

Abstract

Objective: To characterize the gut microbial community structure of two-kidney-one-clip (2K1C) hypertensive rats, provide new evidences for prevention and treatment of hypertension. Methods: Adult male SD rats were divided into 2K1C hypertensive model group and sham operation group (n=8 each). Blood pressure was recorded by tail-cuff technique weekly for 4 weeks. Then, the total fecal DNA of rats in 2K1C model group and sham operation group were extracted. The structure and principal components of intestinal flora in 2K1C model rats and sham operated rats were analyzed using Hiseq3000 sequencing platform. Additionally, real time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction technology was used to detect the content of predominant bacteria, including Escherichia, Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus and Bacteroides. Results: Compared with sham operation group, significant reduction in the relative abundance of Firmicutes (31.72 (30.06, 32.18) vs. 40.99 (38.78, 44.41), U=0.00, P<0.05) and increase in Bacteroidetes (48.13(41.16,50.25) vs. 27.81(25.84,31.38),U=0.00, P<0.05) were observed in the fecal samples from model group. The relative abundance of Escherichia coli (0.08(0.07,0.11) vs. 0.07(0.06,0.08),U=12.50, P<0.05) was increased and the short chain fatty acid producing strains such as Coprococcus, Roseburia, Blautia, Clostridium and Bacteroides was reduced in 2K1C model group than in sham operation group (all P<0.05). Moreover, the relative abundance of Prevotella (Bacteroidetes) was also significantly higher in 2K1C model group than in sham operation group (18.14(17.78,18.75) vs.1.83(1.50,5.19), U=0.00, P<0.05). Moreover, the relative abundance of Ruminococcus (Firmicutes) was significant higher in 2K1C model group than in sham operation group (7.73(6.04,9.34) vs. 3.68(2.46,4.67),U=0.00, P<0.05). Principal coordinate analysis showed that there was significant difference in the gut microbial community structure between 2K1C model group and sham operation group. Conclusion: There are significant changes in the gut microbial community structure in 2K1C model group as compared to sham operation group, indicating renovascular hypertension might affect gut microbial community structure in this rat model.