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Recent research from the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, in collaboration with Massachusetts General Hospital, sheds light on the intricate relationship between gut microbes and cardiovascular health. Published in the journal Cell, the study identifies specific species of bacteria in the gut that consume cholesterol and may contribute to reducing both cholesterol levels and the risk of heart disease.
Led by members of Ramnik Xavier’s lab, researchers analyzed metabolites and microbial genomes from over 1,400 participants in the Framingham Heart Study. Through this comprehensive analysis, they pinpointed a group of bacteria known as Oscillibacter, which possess the ability to metabolize cholesterol from their environment. Interestingly, individuals harboring higher levels of Oscillibacter in their gut exhibited lower cholesterol levels.
“Our research integrates findings from human subjects with experimental validation to ensure we achieve actionable mechanistic insight that will serve as starting points to improve cardiovascular health,” stated Xavier, emphasizing the study’s translational potential in addressing cardiovascular disease risk.
Co-first authors Chenhao Li and Martin Stražar highlighted the significance of the study’s approach, which combined shotgun metagenomic sequencing and metabolomics to gain deeper insights into the metabolic pathways influenced by gut microbes. This approach revealed over 16,000 associations between microbes and metabolic traits, with Oscillibacter emerging as a key player in cholesterol metabolism.
Further investigation into the biochemical pathways utilized by Oscillibacter to metabolize cholesterol unveiled promising insights. The researchers successfully identified enzymes responsible for this process and elucidated the pathways involved in cholesterol breakdown. Additionally, they identified another gut bacterial species, Eubacterium coprostanoligenes, which also contributes to decreased cholesterol levels and may have a synergistic effect with Oscillibacter.
“Our work highlights the possibility that additional sterol metabolism pathways may be modified by gut microbes,” Li explained. “There are potentially a lot of new discoveries waiting to be made.”
The study’s findings hold significant implications for future therapeutic strategies targeting gut microbiota to mitigate cardiovascular disease risk. By focusing on specific microbial species and their metabolic pathways, researchers aim to develop more effective interventions tailored to individual patients.
“Because of the large number of genes of unknown function in the gut microbiome, there are gaps in our ability to predict metabolic functions,” Li added. “Our work paves the way for a systematic understanding of gut ecology and the development of better therapeutic strategies.”
As researchers continue to unravel the complex interplay between gut microbes and human health, the study offers promising avenues for advancing personalized approaches to cardiovascular disease prevention and treatment.
