Endocrine organs of cardiovascular diseases: Gut microbiota

Gut microbiota (GM) is a collection of bacteria, fungi, archaea, viruses and protozoa, etc. They inhabit human intestines and play an essential role in human health and disease. Close information exchange between the intestinal microbes and the host performs a vital role in digestion, immune defence, nervous system regulation, especially metabolism, maintaining a delicate balance between itself and the human host. Studies have shown that the composition of GM and its metabolites are firmly related to the occurrence of various diseases. More and more researchers have demonstrated that the intestinal microbiota is a virtual ‘organ’ with endocrine function and the bioactive metabolites produced by it can affect the physiological role of the host. With deepening researches in recent years, clinical data indicated that the GM has a significant effect on the occurrence and development of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). This article systematically elaborated the relationship between metabolites of GM and its effects, the relationship between intestinal dysbacteriosis and cardiovascular risk factors, coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction, heart failure and hypertension and the possible pathogenic mechanisms. Regulating the GM is supposed to be a potential new therapeutic target for CVD.