Gut Microbiota and Atherosclerosis-Focusing on the Plaque Stability

Xinyi Shen; Lihua Li; Zhen Sun; Guangyao Zang; Lili Zhang; Chen Shao; Zhongqun Wang

doi:10.3389/fcvm.2021.668532

Gut Microbiota and Atherosclerosis-Focusing on the Plaque Stability

Front Cardiovasc Med. 2021 Aug 3:8:668532. doi: 10.3389/fcvm.2021.668532. eCollection 2021.

Authors

Xinyi Shen¹, Lihua Li², Zhen Sun¹, Guangyao Zang¹, Lili Zhang¹, Chen Shao¹, Zhongqun Wang¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Cardiology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China.
² Department of Pathology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China.

Abstract

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are major causes of mortality and morbidity in the modern society. The rupture of atherosclerotic plaque can induce thrombus formation, which is the main cause of acute cardiovascular events. Recently, many studies have demonstrated that there are some relationships between microbiota and atherosclerosis. In this review, we will focus on the effect of the microbiota and the microbe-derived metabolites, including trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO), short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), and lipopolysaccharide (LPS), on the stability of atherosclerotic plaque. Finally, we will conclude with some therapies based on the microbiota and its metabolites.

Keywords: atherosclerosis; gut microbiota; metabolites; plaque stability; therapies.

Publication types

Review