Hypertension is a worldwide problem with major health implications, and its incidence continues to rise with unsatisfactory control rates. High blood pressure (BP) is a primary risk factor for cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, and kidney disease. It has shown significant differences in the overall abundance of gut microbes, and some specific flora in hypertensive patients compared to normotensive individuals. Given that the microbiota is in part determined by host genetics, the authors in this study used the two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis to address the bidirectional causal link between gut microbiota and hypertension. Further studies were undertaken in terms of gut flora products to identify those that are associated with causing hypertension. Specifically, short chain fatty acids (SCFA) are potentially involved in BP homeostasis. Prospective ambulatory BP monitoring found higher levels of SCFAs such as acetate, butyrate, and propionate in the stool followed higher BP. They observed that an altered gut microbiota is a causal factor in the development of hypertension which causes imbalances in the intestinal flora.
Link to the article: bit.ly/3Bz2eOV
Published On: /05/2023
