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Semin Thromb Hemost 2017; 43(06): 609-613
DOI: 10.1055/s-0036-1597903
Review Article
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

The Intriguing Link between the Intestinal Microbiota and Cardiovascular Disease

Giuseppe Lippi
1   Section of Clinical Biochemistry, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
,
Elisa Danese
1   Section of Clinical Biochemistry, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
,
Camilla Mattiuzzi
2   Service of Clinical Governance, General Hospital of Trento, Trento, Italy
,
Emmanuel J. Favaloro
3   Department of Haematology, Sydney Centres for Thrombosis and Haemostasis, Institute of Clinical Pathology and Medical Research (ICPMR), Westmead Hospital, Westmead, NSW, Australia
› Author Affiliations
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Publication History

Publication Date:
14 March 2017 (online)

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Abstract

Human microbiota is a term conventionally used to define the normal flora of microbes living in all of us, most of which are resident in the gastrointestinal tract. Despite it having been known for some time that the vast majority of intestinal bacteria exert a strong influence on human life, recent technologic breakthroughs have made it possible to more accurately characterize the host microbial communities and explore their relationship with many human diseases. Notably, the evidence accumulated over the past 10 years suggests that a reasonable relationship can now be established between gut microbiota composition and the risk of cardiovascular disease. The most convincing information comes from data generated by studies involving trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO)-producing bacteria. It seems now clear that these bacterial strains may actively contribute to increase the concentration of endogenous TMAO and consequently enhance the risk of ischemic and thrombotic disorders, so opening intriguing scenarios for effective prevention of cardiovascular disease by targeting the intestine by means of diet, probiotics, prebiotics, antibiotics, or even transplantation of gut microbes.

Keywords

intestine - gut - microbiota - microbiome - cardiovascular disease
 

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