Chapter 21 - Gut microbiota and their effects on atherosclerosis, platelet function, and hypertension

Abstract

Recent studies have shown a strong association between gut microbiota and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. The gut microbiota–involved CVD mechanisms focusing on atherosclerosis, platelet hyperactivity, and hypertension are significant risk factors for CVD. Since trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO), the intestinal microbial product, is associated with CVD, recently, gut microbiota has become a new area of research in the cardiovascular field. Emerging data strongly indicate that the plasma TMAO contributes to CVD development via modulating plasma lipids, platelet function, and other factors. Several therapeutic strategies are suggested to reduce plasma TMAO levels, including microbiota modulation using probiotics, prebiotics, and oral broad-spectrum antibiotics. This helps promote the proliferation of microflora, reducing the production of TMAO and the development of target-specific molecules. This chapter describes the association between CVD risk factors such as platelet hyperactivity and microbiota-derived TMAO and CVD development.