Impact of Gut Microbiota on Atherosclerosis and Potential Therapeutic Strategies.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), primarily driven by atherosclerosis, remain the leading cause of mortality globally. Emerging studies have shown a significant contribution of the gut microbiome in both onset and progression of atherosclerosis by influencing host metabolism, immune response, and inflammation. This review describes the intricate relationship between gut microbiota and atherosclerosis with a focus on microbial composition, associated metabolites and the effect of these on cardiovascular health. Certain microbials, for example, Prevotella and Collinsella, are under lab studies as the causes of the development of an atherosclerotic plaque. Various other metabolites, such as SCFAs, TMAO, and bile acids, have to play a key role in modulating disease progression. Furthermore, the interaction between the gut and oral microbiome highlights an additional pathway influencing atherosclerosis development. Given the growing understanding of microbiota-associated mechanisms in atherosclerosis, novel therapeutic strategies targeting the gut microbiome, including probiotics, prebiotics, faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), and microbial enzyme inhibitors, are gaining attention. This review also discusses potential microbiome-based interventions for mitigating atherosclerosis risk and improving cardiovascular outcomes. While microbiota-targeted therapies hold promise, further research is needed to address challenges related to inter-individual microbial variability, long-term efficacy, and clinical applicability. Future advancements in microbiome science and precision medicine could revolutionize cardiovascular disease prevention and treatment by leveraging the gut microbiota’s role in atherosclerosis.