The Evaluation of Gut Microbiota in Obese Children with Primary Hypertension

Abstract

Background

The prevalence of childhood hypertension is steadily increasing, and there is growing evidence that dysbiosis of the gut microbiota plays a role in this process. This study compares the gut microbiota of children with primary hypertension to that of normotensive controls.

Methods

This case-control study included 20 children with primary hypertension and 20 normotensive children matched for age, gender, and BMI. Exclusion criteria were the presence of chronic diseases other than hypertension, recent antibiotic use, and active infection. Stool samples were analyzed using 16S rRNA sequencing. Statistical analyses included Student’s t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, and FDR correction.

Results

Microbial richness was significantly reduced at all taxonomic levels in hypertensive patients. However, there were no significant differences in alpha and beta diversity indices between the groups. Levels of Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes were lower in patients, while the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio was increased (p<0.05).

Conclusion

Changes in gut microbiota composition were observed in children with hypertension compared to the control group. These findings may enable the development of microbiota-based diagnostics and personalized treatments, and open the way for preventive approaches by identifying individuals at risk for chronic diseases.

Zusammenfassung

Hintergrund

Die Prävalenz von Bluthochdruck im Kindesalter nimmt stetig zu, und es gibt zunehmend Hinweise darauf, dass eine Dysbiose der Darmmikrobiota bei diesem Prozess eine Rolle spielt. Diese Studie vergleicht die Darmmikrobiota von Kindern mit primärem Bluthochdruck mit der von normotensiven Kontrollpersonen.

Methoden

Diese Fall-Kontroll-Studie umfasste 20 Kinder mit primärem Bluthochdruck und 20 normotensive Kinder, die hinsichtlich Alter, Geschlecht und BMI übereinstimmten. Ausschlusskriterien waren das Vorliegen chronischer Erkrankungen außer Bluthochdruck, kürzliche Antibiotikaeinnahme sowie aktive Infektionen. Die Stuhlproben wurden mittels 16S-rRNA-Sequenzierung analysiert. Die statistischen Analysen umfassten den Student’s t-Test, den Mann-Whitney-U-Test und eine FDR-Korrektur.

Ergebnisse

Die mikrobielle Vielfalt war bei den Bluthochdruckpatienten auf allen taxonomischen Ebenen signifikant reduziert. Zwischen den Gruppen zeigten sich jedoch keine signifikanten Unterschiede in den Alpha- und Beta-Diversitätsindizes. Die Anteile von Bacteroidetes und Firmicutes waren bei den Patienten niedriger, während das Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes-Verhältnis erhöht war (p<0,05).

Schlussfolgerung

Bei Kindern mit Bluthochdruck wurden im Vergleich zur Kontrollgruppe Veränderungen in der Zusammensetzung der Darmmikrobiota festgestellt. Diese Ergebnisse könnten die Entwicklung mikrobiota-basierter Diagnostik und personalisierter Therapien ermöglichen und den Weg für präventive Ansätze ebnen, indem Personen mit einem Risiko für chronische Erkrankungen identifiziert werden.

Keywords

hypertension - microbiota - dysbiosis - Bacteroides - Firmicutes - children

Schlüsselwörter

bluthochdruck - mikrobiota - dysbiose - Bacteroides - Firmicutes - kinder

Publication History

Article published online:
11 August 2025

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