Exploring the Influence of Gut Ecosystem on Myocardial Structure and Its Implications for Advancing Heart Failure Treatment

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K08068
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 53020:Cardiology-related
• Research Institution: The Institute for Adult Diseases Asahi Life Foundation
• Principal Investigator: Kamo Takehiro 公益財団法人朝日生命成人病研究所, 循環器科, 部長 (10722556)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 心筋 / 腸内細菌 / 腸内代謝物質

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This research aims to explore the link between the heart and the gut, elucidating the functional role of the gut ecosystem in the pathophysiology of heart failure. The study tested the hypothesis that manipulating the gut microbiota influences myocardial structure. Oral antibiotic administration significantly reduced myocardial mass in mice, accompanied by changes in fecal metabolite profiles and myocardial gene expression profiles. Moreover, oral antibiotic treatment attenuated cardiac hypertrophy in mice with heart failure. Additionally, changes in myocardial structure resulting from oral antibiotic treatment were found to be dependent on dietary content.

Free Research Field

循環器内科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究によって腸内生態系と心筋構造との関連性が明らかになれば、心不全の病態研究にブレイクスルーがもたらされ、さらに腸内生態系への介入による新たな心不全治療開発の基盤構築につながることが期待される。すなわち、食事により腸内細菌叢や腸内代謝物質を制御することができれば、これまでの薬物治療とは全く異なるアプローチによる心不全治療が確立されることになる。