Gut Microbes Linked to Coronary Artery Disease in New Study

Research indicates that gut microbes may significantly influence the development of coronary artery disease (CAD), a leading cause of death globally, responsible for nearly 20 million deaths each year. While genetic and environmental factors are known contributors to the risk and severity of cardiovascular diseases, scientists are now uncovering the critical role that gut microbiota plays in these conditions. Recent findings published in the journal mSystems highlight the link between gut microbes and disease progression, paving the way for potential new interventions.

In a study led by Han-Na Kim, Ph.D., a genomicist at the Samsung Advanced Institute for Health Sciences and Technology at Sungkyunkwan University in Seoul, researchers compared fecal samples from 14 individuals with CAD to those of 28 healthy individuals. Using metagenomic sequencing, a technique that analyzes all DNA present in a sample, the team was able to reconstruct the genomes of individual microbes and explore their associations with CAD.

Kim explained, “We’ve gone beyond identifying ‘which bacteria live there’ to uncovering what they actually do in the heart-gut connection.” The analysis revealed 15 bacterial species linked to CAD, alongside pathways illustrating how these microbes might contribute to disease progression. The study found a significant functional shift toward inflammation and metabolic imbalance in individuals with CAD. Notably, there was a decrease in protective short-chain fatty acid producers, such as Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, and an overactivation of pathways like the urea cycle, which are associated with increased disease severity.

What is particularly intriguing is the dual nature of certain bacteria. Microbes traditionally viewed as beneficial, such as Akkermansia muciniphila and F. prausnitzii, displayed differing functional roles based on their origin—from healthy or diseased guts. Kim remarked on the complexity of the gut microbiome, likening some species of the Lachnospiraceae family to “the Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde of the gut,” where some strains are depleted in individuals with CAD while others proliferate.

The study underscores the challenges associated with establishing direct links between specific microbes and the progression of coronary artery disease. While previous research indicated reduced levels of some Lachnospiraceae species in CAD patients, this new study identified increased levels of others. “The big unanswered question now is which strains are the healers, and which are the troublemakers,” Kim stated.

As the research progresses, Kim and her team aim to integrate microbial signals with genetic and metabolomic data to better delineate causal pathways in heart disease. Their overarching goal is to develop precision-based interventions that leverage microbial information to prevent cardiovascular disease.

Kim emphasized the potential for microbial therapies, suggesting that such approaches could reshape stool-based screening methods or inform nutritional interventions aimed at restoring beneficial bacteria while inhibiting harmful pathways. “Prevention is the most promising frontier for reducing the global burden of heart disease,” she concluded.

The implications of this research may extend far beyond academic interest, potentially influencing public health strategies and clinical practices in the fight against cardiovascular disease.