Modulating gut microbiota with SCFAs and high-fiber diets to mitigate PM2.5-induced hypertension in mice
Kaixin Yan, Siyuan Wang, Minjie Wang, Yaxuan Yao, Xiaoyan Liu, Jiawei Song, Yihang Chen, Yufei Chen, Rui-Qiang Qi, Xinyu Zhou, Jiuchang Zhong, Chaowei Hu, Ying Dong, Jing Li
Abstract
Exposure to PM 2.5 is recognized to significantly impact the development of cardiovascular diseases, particularly hypertension, which has been recently attributed to an abnormal microenvironment characterized by disordered gut microbiota. Despite this recognition, the impacts of modulating gut microbiota with short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and high-fiber diets (HF) on mitigating PM 2.5 -induced hypertension remain unclear. Our study demonstrates that mice supplemented with SCFAs or a HF exhibit reduced blood pressure, improved vascular remodeling, and alleviated gastrointestinal tract damages compared to those exposed to PM 2.5 alone. These dietary interventions altered the gut microbiota composition of PM 2.5 -exposed mice, including alpha-diversity, beta-diversity patterns, and enriched profiles of intestinal microbes such as Lactobacillus , Bacteroides , and Ruminococcaceae . Furthermore, SCFAs and HF modulated the fecal metabolome by increasing the abundance of metabolites like Bufalin, Glycocholic acid, Syringaresinol and Equol. These microbial and metabolic alterations are proposed to affect host metabolism by influencing steroidogenesis and arachidonic acid metabolism pathways, which in turn regulate blood pressure through enhanced vascular function and decreased vascular remodeling. In summary, modulation of gut microbiota by SCFAs or a HF plays a protective role against PM 2.5 -induced hypertensive damages, suggesting a potential strategy to reduce environmental pollution-related cardiovascular risks through gut microbiota modulation. • PM 2.5 causes hypertension, vascular remodeling and intestinal structural changes. • PM 2.5 exposure is associated with significant changes in gut microbiota and metabolism. • Regulating gut flora with SCFAs or HF alters intestinal metabolism and protects against PM 2.5 -induced hypertensive damage. • The potential to reduce cardiovascular risk related to environmental pollution by regulating gut microbiota is highlighted.