Serum Metabolomics Combined With 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing to Analyze the Changes of Intestinal Flora in Rats With MI and the Intervention Effect of Fuling-Guizhi

Abstract

Objective: This research aimed to assess the relationship between intestinal flora and metabolites in rats with myocardial ischemia (MI) and to offer a new perspective to elucidate the pathological mechanisms of MI and Fuling-Guizhi (FLGZ). Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into control check (CK), model (MX), propranolol (XDAZ), and FLGZ groups. Metabolomic analysis was performed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to obtain differential metabolites and 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis to obtain differential intestinal flora and perform functional prediction. In addition, Pearson correlation analysis was conducted to reveal the correlation between different metabolites and altered intestinal flora. Results: By serum metabolomics, 14 different metabolites were identified, mainly involving amino acid, lipid, carbohydrate, and energy metabolic pathways. Linear discriminant analysis effect size analysis indicated that at the genus level, MI was associated with Phascolarctobacterium, Oscillospira, Allobaculum, and Ruminococcus, involving amino acids, carbohydrates, energy, lipids, cofactors and vitamins, other amino acids, terpenoids, and polyketides metabolism. Correlation analysis showed that ethanolamine, phosphate, L-glutamine, L-threonine, oxalic acid, and linoleic acid were closely associated with Phascolarctobacterium, Oscillospira, Allobaculum, and Ruminococcus. Conclusion: In conclusion, the results tentatively confirm that MI is closely tied to the dysregulation of metabolites and intestinal flora. FLGZ may affect amino acid, carbohydrate, lipid, and energy metabolism through Phascolarctobacterium, Oscillospira, Allobaculum, and Ruminococcus to attenuate inflammatory response, oxidative stress, and apoptosis.