Gut dysbiosis in heart failure patients was marked by depleted SCFA-producing bacteria, increased Proteobacteria, and elevated harmful metabolites like TMAO across 32 studies.
Systematic Review (n=5,825)
What are the gut microbiota alterations and microbial metabolite profiles in patients with heart failure?
Heart failure is associated with a dysbiotic gut microbiome characterized by decreased SCFA-producing bacteria and increased harmful metabolites like TMAO, suggesting a potential target for adjunctive therapies.
Heart failure remains a major global health challenge. Emerging evidence highlights the gut microbiome’s role in its pathogenesis and progression. This systematic review analyzed 32 studies involving 5825 patients to evaluate gut microbiota alterations and microbial metabolites in heart failure. Findings on alpha diversity were inconsistent, but beta diversity showed more agreement. A common pattern included depletion of short-chain fatty acid (SCFA)–producing bacteria and enrichment of pathogenic taxa such as Escherichia and Shigella . Heart failure patients also exhibited elevated levels of harmful metabolites like trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) and phenylacetylglutamine. The dysbiotic profile was marked by increased Proteobacteria and decreased Firmicutes , linked to reduced cardioprotective metabolite production and heightened inflammation. These shifts may worsen heart failure prognosis and contribute to systemic inflammation. The results support the potential of microbiome-targeted therapies, such as probiotics, as adjunctive strategies in heart failure management.
Yassine et al. (Thu,) conducted a systematic review in Heart failure (n=5,825). Gut microbiota alterations and microbial metabolites was evaluated on Gut microbiota alterations and microbial metabolites. Gut dysbiosis in heart failure patients was marked by depleted SCFA-producing bacteria, increased Proteobacteria, and elevated harmful metabolites like TMAO across 32 studies.