1
|
Lv H, Zhang Z, Fu B, Li Z, Yin T, Liu C, Xu B, Wang D, Li B, Hao J, Zhang L, Wang J. Characteristics of the gut microbiota of patients with symptomatic carotid atherosclerotic plaques positive for bacterial genetic material. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2024; 13:1296554. [PMID: 38282614 PMCID: PMC10811106 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1296554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The gut microbiota (GM) is believed to be closely associated with symptomatic carotid atherosclerosis (SCAS), yet more evidence is needed to substantiate the significant role of GM in SCAS. This study, based on the detection of bacterial DNA in carotid plaques, explores the characteristics of GM in SCAS patients with plaque bacterial genetic material positivity, aiming to provide a reference for subsequent research. Methods We enrolled 27 healthy individuals (NHF group) and 23 SCAS patients (PFBS group). We utilized 16S rDNA V3-V4 region gene sequencing to analyze the microbiota in fecal samples from both groups, as well as in plaque samples from the carotid bifurcation extending to the origin of the internal carotid artery in all patients. Results Our results indicate significant differences in the gut microbiota (GM) between SCAS patients and healthy individuals. The detection rate of bacterial DNA in plaque samples was approximately 26%. Compared to patients with negative plaques (PRSOPWNP group), those with positive plaques (PRSOPWPP group) exhibited significant alterations in their GM, particularly an upregulation of 11 bacterial genera (such as Klebsiella and Streptococcus) in the gut, which were also present in the plaques. In terms of microbial gene function prediction, pathways such as Fluorobenzoate degradation were significantly upregulated in the GM of patients with positive plaques. Conclusion In summary, our study is the first to identify significant alterations in the gut microbiota of patients with positive plaques, providing crucial microbial evidence for further exploration of the pathogenesis of SCAS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hang Lv
- School of Clinical Medicine, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, China
| | - Zhiyuan Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Liaocheng People’s Hospital, Liaocheng, Shandong, China
| | - Bo Fu
- Department of Precision Medicine, Liaocheng People’s Hospital, Liaocheng, Shandong, China
| | - Zhongchen Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, Liaocheng People’s Hospital, Liaocheng, Shandong, China
| | - Tengkun Yin
- Department of Neurosurgery, Liaocheng People’s Hospital, Liaocheng, Shandong, China
| | - Chao Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Liaocheng People’s Hospital, Liaocheng, Shandong, China
| | - Bin Xu
- School of Clinical Medicine, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, China
| | - Dawei Wang
- Department of Orthopedics, Liaocheng People’s Hospital, Liaocheng, Shandong, China
| | - Baojie Li
- Bio-X Research Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiheng Hao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Liaocheng People’s Hospital, Liaocheng, Shandong, China
| | - Liyong Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Liaocheng People’s Hospital, Liaocheng, Shandong, China
| | - Jiyue Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Liaocheng People’s Hospital, Liaocheng, Shandong, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Observation on the Efficacy of Ginkgo Ketone Ester Drop Pill in Improving Hypertension Combined with Carotid Atherosclerotic Plaque. Emerg Med Int 2022; 2022:8650537. [PMID: 35811610 PMCID: PMC9262540 DOI: 10.1155/2022/8650537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose. To observe and analyze the efficacy of Ginkgo ketone ester drop pill intervention in patients with hypertension combined with carotid atherosclerotic plaque. Methods. The subjects were 300 patients with hypertension complicated with carotid atherosclerotic plaque treated in our hospital from January 2019 to September 2021. The grouping was done by the random number table method and 300 patients were divided equally into 2 groups. One group was treated with Western medicine alone (clopidogrel sulfate tablets, phenyl amlodipine tablets, irbesartan tablets, and resorvastatin) as the Western medicine group (WM group, n = 150), and one group was added to this intervention with Ginkgo ketone ester drop pill as the Chinese medicine group (CM group, n = 150). The observation indexes were the improvement of blood pressure (systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP)), blood lipids (low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), triglyceride (TG), and total cholesterol (TC)), vascular endothelial function (nitric oxide (NO) and endothelin-1 (ET-1)), inflammatory factors (C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6)), plaque (intimal medial thickness (IMT) of carotid artery and plaque area), and efficacy after intervention and adverse effects during intervention in both groups. Results. After intervention, SBP, DBP, LDL-C, TG, and TC levels were lower and HDL-C levels were higher in both groups than before intervention in the same group, and both CM groups improved significantly compared with the WM group (
). After intervention, NO levels were higher and ET-1 levels were lower in both groups than before the intervention in the same group, and both CM groups improved significantly compared with the WM group (
). After intervention, CRP and IL-6 levels were lower in both groups than before intervention in the same group, and both CM groups improved significantly compared with the WM group (
). After intervention, IMT and plaque area were lower in both groups than before intervention in the same group and both CM groups improved significantly compared with the WM group (
). The total effective number of the CM group was better than the WM group (
), and there was no significant difference in the adverse reactions number in both groups (
). Conclusions. The treatment of hypertension combined with carotid atherosclerotic plaque with Ginkgo ketone ester drop pill helps to improve the blood pressure, blood lipid, and vascular endothelial function of patients and helps to inhibit the inflammation level and atherosclerotic plaque of patients, with significant efficacy and no significant adverse effects in patients, which is worthy of clinical promotion.
Collapse
|
3
|
Wang B, Dong L, Qi Z. Carotid plaque vulnerability assessed by contrast-enhanced ultrasound and clinical risk factors. J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis 2022; 31:106598. [PMID: 35780717 DOI: 10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2022.106598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2022] [Revised: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 10/17/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM To evaluate the vulnerability of carotid plaque by contrast-enhanced ultrasound, to study the clinical risk factors of the plaque, and to analyze the relationship between plaque vulnerability and clinical indicators. MATERIALS AND METHODS 244 patients with carotid plaque were selected for contrast-enhanced ultrasound examination, biochemical and other indicators were detected, and the stability of plaque was evaluated by semi-quantitative visual grading of intraplaque neovascularization (IPN), and correlation between plaque and each indicator was analyzed. RESULTS Different grades of neovascularization in plaque had statistical differences with BMI, arm circumference, WHR, WBC, CRP, tHcy, TBIL, DBIL, SUA, LP (a) and DD (P<0.05). Correlation analysis showed that TBIL, DBIL were negatively correlated with the grading, while others were positively correlated. CONCLUSION The expression levels of SUA, tHcy, TC, TG, LDL-C, LP (a), DD, WBC and CRP are closely related to contrast-enhanced ultrasound grading, which further indicated the vulnerability of plaque and provides theoretical basis for clinical treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Lili Dong
- First Hospital of Qinhuangdao, Hebei, China
| | - Zhengqin Qi
- First Hospital of Qinhuangdao, Hebei, China.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Li D, Qiao H, Yang X, Li J, Dai W, Chen X, Shen J, Zhao X. Co-existing Hypertension and Hyperhomocysteinemia Increases the Risk of Carotid Vulnerable Plaque and Subsequent Vascular Event: An MR Vessel Wall Imaging Study. Front Cardiovasc Med 2022; 9:858066. [PMID: 35433864 PMCID: PMC9005821 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2022.858066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose This study sought to determine the associations of co-existing hypertension and hyperhomocysteinemia (H-Hcy) with carotid vulnerable plaque features and subsequent vascular events. Methods Symptomatic patients with carotid atherosclerosis were enrolled and underwent carotid magnetic resonance (MR) vessel wall imaging. The patients were divided into the following groups: co-existing hypertension and H-Hcy group; isolated hypertension group; isolated H-Hcy group; and control group. The morphological and compositional characteristics of carotid plaques were assessed on MR images and compared among different groups. Univariate and multivariate cox regressions were used to calculate the hazard ratio (HR) and corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) of co-existing hypertension and H-Hcy in predicting subsequent vascular events after at least 1-year followed-up. Results In total, 217 patients (mean age, 59.4 ± 11.9 years; 154 males) were recruited. Patients in co-existing hypertension and H-Hcy group had a significantly higher prevalence of carotid lipid-rich necrotic core (LRNC) than isolated H-Hcy and control group (73.2 vs. 43.3 vs. 50%, p = 0.015). During the median follow-up time of 12.2 ± 4.3 months, 61 (39.8%) patients experienced vascular events. After adjusting for baseline confounding factors, co-existing hypertension and H-Hcy (HR, 1.82; 95% CI, 1.01–3.27; p = 0.044), presence of carotid LRNC (HR, 2.25; 95% CI, 1.09–4.65; p = 0.029), and combination of co-existing hypertension and H-Hcy and carotid LRNC (HR, 2.39; 95% CI, 1.26–4.43; p = 0.007) were significantly associated with subsequent vascular events. Conclusions Co-existing hypertension and H-Hcy are associated with carotid vulnerable plaque features, such as LRNC. Combining co-existing hypertension and H-Hcy with carotid vulnerable plaque features has a stronger predictive value for subsequent vascular events than each measurement alone.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dongye Li
- Department of Radiology, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Huiyu Qiao
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Center for Biomedical Imaging Research, Tsinghua University School of Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Xieqing Yang
- Department of Radiology, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jin Li
- Department of Radiology, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Dai
- Department of Neurology, Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoyi Chen
- Department of Radiology, Beijing Geriatric Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Jun Shen
- Department of Radiology, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Jun Shen
| | - Xihai Zhao
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Center for Biomedical Imaging Research, Tsinghua University School of Medicine, Beijing, China
- Xihai Zhao
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Relationship between Serum FGF21 and vWF Expression and Carotid Atherosclerosis in Elderly Patients with Hypertension. JOURNAL OF HEALTHCARE ENGINEERING 2022; 2022:6777771. [PMID: 35242298 PMCID: PMC8888093 DOI: 10.1155/2022/6777771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2021] [Revised: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Cardiovascular (CV) and cerebrovascular (CBV) diseases are common in the elderly and cause severe damage, with high morbidity, disability, and mortality. Hypertension, as a risk factor for a variety of CV and CBV diseases, also affects many elderly patients. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between serum FGF21 and vWF expression and carotid atherosclerosis (CAS) in elderly patients with hypertension. We recruited 143 elderly hypertensive patients admitted to our hospital from July 2017 to November 2019 to this study, including 75 patients with comorbid CAS (the observation group, OG) and 68 patients without CAS (the control group, CG). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to test serum expression levels of FGF21 and vWF; receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves to evaluate the value of FGF21 and vWF in diagnosing CAS and predicting the 6-month prognosis in elderly hypertensive patients; Pearson's correlation analysis to analyze the correlation of FGF21/vWF with the plaque thickness and stenosis area in hypertensive patients with CAS. The incidence of CV and CBV events was markedly higher in the high FGF21/vWF group than in the low FGF21/vWF group. Patients from OG were divided into the high FGF21/vWF group and the low FGF21/vWF group based on the median expression level of FGF21/vWF, then the incidence of cardiovascular (CV) and cerebrovascular (CBV) events was compared between the high and low expression groups. Serum levels of FGF21 and vWF were markedly higher in patients from OG than in patients from CG. Both FGF21 and vWF were in positive correlation with the plaque thickness and stenosis area in patients from OG. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) for diagnosing CAS was 0.790 by FGF21 and 0.807 by vWF; the AUC for predicting the occurrence of CV and CBV events was 0.771 by FGF21 and 0.754 by vWF. Serum levels of FGF21 and vWF are increased in elderly patients with hypertension and comorbid CAS, so they can be used for diagnosing CAS and predicting prognosis.
Collapse
|
6
|
Li H, Xu X, Luo B, Zhang Y. The Predictive Value of Carotid Ultrasonography With Cardiovascular Risk Factors-A "SPIDER" Promoting Atherosclerosis. Front Cardiovasc Med 2021; 8:706490. [PMID: 34447790 PMCID: PMC8382941 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2021.706490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Insufficient recommendations do not support the clinical use of carotid ultrasonography for further risk stratification in moderate-to-high risk patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD). A literature review was performed to assess six aspects of the research progress and limitations of carotid ultrasonography and carotid atherosclerosis-related risk factors: (1) structures of the carotid intima and media; (2) plaques; (3) inflammation; (4) dynamics of carotid blood flow; (5) early detection and intervention; and (6) risk factors for CVD. Although carotid intima-media thickness and carotid plaques are well-acknowledged independent predictors of CVD risk, normative and cut-off values are difficult to define due to the heterogeneous measurements reported in previous studies. Plaque properties, including location, number, density, and size, become more important risk predictors for cardiovascular disease, but a better approach for clinical use needs to be further established. Three-dimensional ultrasound and contrast-enhanced ultrasound are promising for promoting risk stratification with more details on plaque morphology. Moreover, inflammatory diseases and biomarkers should be evaluated for a full assessment of the inflammatory burden for atherosclerosis. Carotid flow velocity is not only an indicator for stenosis but also a potential risk predictor. Carotid atherosclerosis should be detected and treated early, and additional clinical trials are needed to determine the efficacy of these measures in reducing CVD risk. Cardiovascular risk factors tend to affect carotid plaques, and early treat-to-target therapy might yield clinical benefits. Based on the aforementioned six aspects, we consider that these six important factors act like a “SPIDER” spinning the web of atherosclerosis; a timely comprehensive assessment and intervention may halt the progression to CVD. Carotid ultrasound results should be combined with other atherosclerotic factors, and a comprehensive risk assessment may help to guide cardiovascular prevention decisions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hongwei Li
- Department of Cardiology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaolin Xu
- Department of Ultrasound, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Baoming Luo
- Department of Ultrasound, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuling Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology, Guangzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|