The Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis-Heart Shunt Part II: Prosaic Foods and the Brain-Heart Connection in Alzheimer Disease.

Mark Obrenovich,Bushra Siddiqui,George Perry,Shams Tabrez,Benjamin Mccloskey

doi:10.3390/microorganisms8040493

Abstract

There is a strong cerebrovascular component to brain aging, Alzheimer disease, and vascular dementia. Foods, common drugs, and the polyphenolic compounds contained in wine modulate health both directly and through the gut microbiota. This observation and novel findings centered on nutrition, biochemistry, and metabolism, as well as the newer insights we gain into the microbiota-gut-brain axis, now lead us to propose a shunt to this classic triad, which involves the heart and cerebrovascular systems. The French paradox and prosaic foods, as they relate to the microbiota-gut-brain axis and neurodegenerative diseases, are discussed in this manuscript, which is the second part of a two-part series of concept papers addressing the notion that the microbiota and host liver metabolism all play roles in brain and heart health.

Highlights

We know that what is good for the heart is good for the brain, most likely involving the shared cerebrovascular system
In the case of mental and brain disease, we include all microorganismal bionts, which engage as generators of beneficial co-metabolism, to be psychosymbiotics. This powerful concept will one day change our interpretation of lab results, patient histories, and genomic testing, and it will become a key component of what will be truly known as personalized medicine. We propose that this novel concept will lead to better treatment, diagnostic, and management approaches, which could one day prevent disease or, contribute to research and understanding of disease pathobiology [1]
Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is important in Alzheimer disease (AD), since it is a highly potent peptide and vasoconstrictor [10]. It is associated with atherosclerosis, and we showed that ET-1 has a strong relationship with AD pathogenesis and cytokine stress [11], while high expression of ET-1 is known to contribute to the development of cerebrovascular disease, AD, and cancer

Summary

Introduction

We know that what is good for the heart is good for the brain, most likely involving the shared cerebrovascular system. Exploring aspects of co-metabolism within the microbiota-gut-brain axis and metabolites from prosaic foods could lead to a unifying hypothesis for age-related diseases and advance our understanding of vascular dementia, neurodegeneration, and heart disease. TMANO formation in humans is poorly understood but may contribute to bacterial pathobiology of clot formation This illustrates a well-supported notion of a heart–brain shunt, and it allows exploring the microbiota-gut-brain axis–heart shunt, whereby microbe-derived metabolites reach the brain and brain compartments and have an effect on the heart. The presence of a higher number of colony-forming units of both types of bacteria suggests that metformin seems to improve the integrity of the intestinal mucosal barrier, favoring colonization of these species, and it explains the improved mucin layer maintenance and lower inflammation by reducing any translocation of proinflammatory lipopolysaccharide (LPS) This could aid in controlling adipose tissue metabolism and fat storage, as well as help improve glucose homeostasis, but perhaps only in diabetics [14]. New methods are needed for treating patients, while protecting their microbiota, if antibiotics are to be used

Oxidation–Reduction Reactions Involving the Brain and Mammalian Gut

AD-Protective Foods and the Microbiota

Microorganisms Found in Alzheimer Disease

Conclusions