Endotoxemia is associated with an adverse metabolic profile

Risk factors and prognostic value of endotoxemia in patients with acute myocardial infarction

Background

There is increasing evidence regarding the association between endotoxemia and the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and myocardial infarction (MI). During the acute phase of MI, endotoxemia might increase inflammation and drive adverse cardiovascular (CV) outcomes. We aimed to explore the risk factors and prognostic value of endotoxemia in patients admitted for acute MI.

Methods

Patients admitted to the coronary care unit of Dijon University Hospital for type 1 acute MI between 2013 and 2015 were included. Endotoxemia, assessed by plasma lipopolysaccharide (LPS) concentration, was measured by mass spectrometry. Major adverse CV events were recorded in the year following hospital admission.

Results

Data from 245 consecutive MI patients were analyzed. LPS concentration at admission markedly increased with age and diabetes. High LPS concentration was correlated with metabolic biomarkers (glycemia, triglyceride, and total cholesterol) but not with CV (troponin Ic peak and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide) or inflammatory biomarkers (C-reactive protein, IL6, IL8, and TNFα). LPS concentration was not associated with in-hospital or 1-year outcomes.

Conclusions

In patients admitted for MI, higher levels of endotoxins were related to pre-existing conditions rather than acute clinical severity. Therefore, endotoxins measured on the day of MI could reflect metabolic chronic endotoxemia rather than MI-related acute gut translocation.

The interaction between oral microbiota and gut microbiota in atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis (AS) is a complex disease caused by multiple pathological factors threatening human health-the pathogenesis is yet to be fully elucidated. In recent years, studies have exhibited that the onset of AS is closely involved with oral and gut microbiota, which may initiate or worsen atherosclerotic processes through several mechanisms. As for how the two microbiomes affect AS, existing mechanisms include invading plaque, producing active metabolites, releasing lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and inducing elevated levels of inflammatory mediators. Considering the possible profound connection between oral and gut microbiota, the effect of the interaction between the two microbiomes on the initiation and progression of AS has been investigated. Findings are oral microbiota can lead to gut dysbiosis, and exacerbate intestinal inflammation. Nevertheless, relevant research is not commendably refined and a concrete review is needed. Hence, in this review, we summarize the most recent mechanisms of the oral microbiota and gut microbiota on AS, illustrate an overview of the current clinical and epidemiological evidence to support the bidirectional connection between the two microbiomes and AS.

Western diet components that increase intestinal permeability with implications on health

Intestinal permeability is a physiological property that allows necessary molecules to enter the organism. This property is regulated by tight junction proteins located between intestinal epithelial cells. However, various factors can increase intestinal permeability (IIP), including diet. Specific components in the Western diet (WD), such as monosaccharides, fat, gluten, salt, alcohol, and additives, can affect the tight junctions between enterocytes, leading to increased permeability. This review explains how these components promote IIP and outlines their potential implications for health. In addition, we describe how a reduction in WD consumption may help improve dietary treatment of diseases associated with IIP. Research has shown that some of these components can cause changes in the gut microbiota, leading to dysbiosis, which can promote greater intestinal permeability and displacement of endotoxins into the bloodstream. These endotoxins include lipopolysaccharides derived from gram-negative bacteria, and their presence has been associated with various diseases, such as autoimmune, neurological, and metabolic diseases like diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Therefore, nutrition professionals should promote the reduction of WD consumption and consider the inclusion of healthy diet components as part of the nutritional treatment for diseases associated with increased intestinal permeability.

Stratification of Sepsis Patients on Admission into the Intensive Care Unit According to Differential Plasma Metabolic Phenotypes

Delayed diagnosis of patients with sepsis or septic shock is associated with increased mortality and morbidity. UPLC-MS and NMR spectroscopy were used to measure panels of lipoproteins, lipids, biogenic amines, amino acids, and tryptophan pathway metabolites in blood plasma samples collected from 152 patients within 48 h of admission into the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) where 62 patients had no sepsis, 71 patients had sepsis, and 19 patients had septic shock. Patients with sepsis or septic shock had higher concentrations of neopterin and lower levels of HDL cholesterol and phospholipid particles in comparison to nonsepsis patients. Septic shock could be differentiated from sepsis patients based on different concentrations of 10 lipids, including significantly lower concentrations of five phosphatidylcholine species, three cholesterol esters, one dihydroceramide, and one phosphatidylethanolamine. The Supramolecular Phospholipid Composite (SPC) was reduced in all ICU patients, while the composite markers of acute phase glycoproteins were increased in the sepsis and septic shock patients within 48 h admission into ICU. We show that the plasma metabolic phenotype obtained within 48 h of ICU admission is diagnostic for the presence of sepsis and that septic shock can be differentiated from sepsis based on the lipid profile.

Atherosclerosis, gut microbiome, and exercise in a meta-omics perspective: a literature review

Background

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death worldwide, significantly impacting public health. Atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases account for the majority of these deaths, with atherosclerosis marking the initial and most critical phase of their pathophysiological progression. There is a complex relationship between atherosclerosis, the gut microbiome's composition and function, and the potential mediating role of exercise. The adaptability of the gut microbiome and the feasibility of exercise interventions present novel opportunities for therapeutic and preventative approaches.

Methodology

We conducted a comprehensive literature review using professional databases such as PubMed and Web of Science. This review focuses on the application of meta-omics techniques, particularly metagenomics and metabolomics, in studying the effects of exercise interventions on the gut microbiome and atherosclerosis.

Results

Meta-omics technologies offer unparalleled capabilities to explore the intricate connections between exercise, the microbiome, the metabolome, and cardiometabolic health. This review highlights the advancements in metagenomics and metabolomics, their applications in research, and examines how exercise influences the gut microbiome. We delve into the mechanisms connecting these elements from a metabolic perspective. Metagenomics provides insight into changes in microbial strains post-exercise, while metabolomics sheds light on the shifts in metabolites. Together, these approaches offer a comprehensive understanding of how exercise impacts atherosclerosis through specific mechanisms.

Conclusions

Exercise significantly influences atherosclerosis, with the gut microbiome serving as a critical intermediary. Meta-omics technology holds substantial promise for investigating the gut microbiome; however, its methodologies require further refinement. Additionally, there is a pressing need for more extensive cohort studies to enhance our comprehension of the connection among these element.

A green tea extract confection decreases circulating endotoxin and fasting glucose by improving gut barrier function but without affecting systemic inflammation: A double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized trial in healthy adults and adults with metabolic syndrome

Anti-inflammatory activities of catechin-rich green tea extract (GTE) in obese rodents protect against metabolic endotoxemia by decreasing intestinal permeability and absorption of gut-derived endotoxin. However, translation to human health has not been established. We hypothesized that GTE would reduce endotoxemia by decreasing gut permeability and intestinal and systemic inflammation in persons with metabolic syndrome (MetS) compared with healthy persons. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial in healthy adults (n = 19, 34 ± 2 years) and adults with MetS (n = 21, 40 ± 3 years) examined 4-week administration of a decaffeinated GTE confection (890 mg/d total catechins) on serum endotoxin, intestinal permeability, gut and systemic inflammation, and cardiometabolic parameters. Compared with the placebo, the GTE confection decreased serum endotoxin (P = .023) in both healthy persons and those with MetS, while increasing concentrations of circulating catechins (P < .0001) and γ-valerolactones (P = .0001). Fecal calprotectin (P = .029) and myeloperoxidase (P = .048) concentrations were decreased by GTE regardless of health status. Following the ingestion of gut permeability probes, urinary lactose/mannitol (P = .043) but not sucralose/erythritol (P > .05) was decreased by GTE regardless of health status. No between-treatment differences (P > .05) were observed for plasma aminotransferases, blood pressure, plasma lipids, or body mass nor were plasma tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, or the ratio of lipopolysaccharide-binding protein/soluble cluster of differentiation-14 affected. However, fasting glucose in both study groups was decreased (P = .029) by the GTE confection compared with within-treatment arm baseline concentrations. These findings demonstrate that catechin-rich GTE is effective to decrease circulating endotoxin and improve glycemic control in healthy adults and those with MetS, likely by reducing gut inflammation and small intestinal permeability but without affecting systemic inflammation.

Causal association of lipoprotein-associated phospholipids on the risk of sepsis: a Mendelian randomization study

Background

Many previous studies have revealed a close relationship between lipoprotein metabolism and sepsis, but their causal relationship has, until now, remained unclear. Therefore, we performed a two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis to estimate the causal relationship of lipoprotein-associated phospholipids with the risk of sepsis.

Materials and methods

A two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was performed to investigate the causal relationship between lipoprotein-associated phospholipids and sepsis based on large-scale genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary statistics. MR analysis was performed using a variety of methods, including inverse variance weighted as the primary method, MR Egger, weighted median, simple mode, and weighted mode as complementary methods. Further sensitivity analyses were used to test the robustness of the data.

Results

After Bonferroni correction, the results of the MR analysis showed that phospholipids in medium high-density lipoprotein (HDL; ORIVW = 0.82, 95% CI 0.71-0.95, P = 0.0075), large HDL (ORIVW = 0.92, 95% CI 0.85-0.98, P = 0.0148), and very large HDL (ORMR Egger = 0.83, 95% CI 0.72-0.95, P = 0.0134) had suggestive causal relationship associations with sepsis. Sensitivity testing confirmed the accuracy of these findings. There was no clear association between other lipoprotein-associated phospholipids and sepsis risk.

Conclusions

Our MR analysis data suggestively showed a correlation between higher levels of HDL-associated phospholipids and reduced risk of sepsis. Further studies are required to determine the underlying mechanisms behind this relationship.

Systemic Metabolic Signatures of Oral Diseases

Systemic metabolic signatures of oral diseases have been rarely investigated, and prospective studies do not exist. We analyzed whether signs of current or past infectious/inflammatory oral diseases are associated with circulating metabolites. Two study populations were included: the population-based Health-2000 (n = 6,229) and Parogene (n = 452), a cohort of patients with an indication to coronary angiography. Health-2000 participants (n = 4,116) provided follow-up serum samples 11 y after the baseline. Serum concentrations of 157 metabolites were determined with a nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy-based method. The associations between oral parameters and metabolite concentrations were analyzed using linear regression models adjusted for age, sex, number of teeth, smoking, presence of diabetes, and education (in Health-2000 only). The number of decayed teeth presented positive associations with low-density lipoprotein diameter and the concentrations of pyruvate and citrate. Negative associations were found between caries and the unsaturation degree of fatty acids (FA) and relative proportions of docosahexaenoic and omega-3 FAs. The number of root canal fillings was positively associated with very low-density lipoprotein parameters, such as diameter, cholesterol, triglycerides, and number of particles. Deepened periodontal pockets were positively associated with concentrations of cholesterol, triglycerides, pyruvate, leucine, valine, phenylalanine, and glycoprotein acetyls and negatively associated with high-density lipoprotein (HDL) diameter, FA unsaturation degree, and relative proportions of omega-6 and polyunsaturated FAs. Bleeding on probing (BOP) was associated with increased concentrations of triglycerides and glycoprotein acetyls, as well as decreased proportions of omega-3 and omega-6 FAs. Caries at baseline predicted alterations in apolipoprotein B-containing lipoproteins and HDL-related metabolites in the follow-up, and both caries and BOP were associated with changes in HDL-related metabolites and omega-3 FAs in the follow-up. Signs of current or past infectious/inflammatory oral diseases, especially periodontitis, were associated with metabolic profiles typical for inflammation. Oral diseases may represent a modifiable risk factor for systemic chronic inflammation and thus cardiometabolic disorders.

The Role of Gut Microbiota and Associated Compounds in Cardiovascular Health and its Therapeutic Implications

It is possible that gut bacteria may have a beneficial effect on cardiovascular health in humans. It may play a major role in the progression of a variety of cardiovascular diseases, including Heart Failure (HF), Atherosclerosis, Coronary Arterial Disease (CAD), Ischemic Heart Disease (IHD), and Others. Dysbiosis of the gut microbiota, along with its direct and indirect impact on gut health, may induce cardiovascular disorders. Although advanced studies have demonstrated the relationship of various metabolites to cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in animals, translating their functional capacity to humans remains a significant area of research. This paper simplifies the demonstration of some compounds, pathways, and components like Trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), and butyrate production. It demonstrates how a change in eating habits causes TMAO and how the impact of different drugs on gut microbiota species and high consumption of Westernized food causes several heartrelated problems, such as atherosclerosis and inflammation that can even become the cause of heart failure. Modulation of the gut microbiome, on the other hand, is a novel therapeutic measure because it can be easily altered through diet and other lifestyle changes. It could then be used to lower the risk of several CVDs.

Long-chain polyphosphates inhibit type I interferon signaling and augment LPS-induced cytokine secretion in human leukocytes

Inorganic polyphosphates are evolutionarily conserved bioactive phosphate polymers found as various chain lengths in all living organisms. In mammals, polyphosphates play a vital role in the regulation of cellular metabolism, coagulation, and inflammation. Long-chain polyphosphates are found along with endotoxins in pathogenic gram-negative bacteria and can participate in bacterial virulence. We aimed to investigate whether exogenously administered polyphosphates modulate human leukocyte function in vitro by treating the cells with 3 different chain lengths of polyphosphates (P14, P100, and P700). The long-chain polyphosphates, P700, had a remarkable capacity to downregulate type I interferon signaling dose dependently in THP1-Dual cells while only a slight elevation could be observed in the NF-κB pathway with the highest dose of P700. P700 treatment decreased lipopolysaccharide-induced IFNβ transcription and secretion, reduced STAT1 phosphorylation, and downregulated subsequent interferon-stimulated gene expression in primary human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. P700 also augmented lipopolysaccharide-induced secretion of IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, and IFNγ. Furthermore, P700 has previously been reported to increase the phosphorylation of several intracellular signaling mediators, such as AKT, mTOR, ERK, p38, GSK3α/β, HSP27, and JNK pathway components, which was supported by our findings. Taken together, these observations demonstrate the extensive modulatory effects P700 has on cytokine signaling and the inhibitory effects specifically targeted to type I interferon signaling in human leukocytes.

A Cross-Sectional Study of Potential Antimicrobial Resistance and Ecology in Gastrointestinal and Oral Microbial Communities of Young Normoweight Pakistani Individuals

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major global public health concern mainly affecting low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) due to lack of awareness, inadequate healthcare and sanitation infrastructure, and other environmental factors. In this study, we aimed to link microbial assembly and covariates (body mass index, smoking, and use of antibiotics) to gut microbiome structure and correlate the predictive antimicrobial gene prevalence (piARG) using PICRUSt2. We examined the gastrointestinal and oral microbial profiles of healthy adults in Pakistan through 16S rRNA gene sequencing with a focus on different ethnicities, antibiotic usage, drinking water type, smoking, and other demographic measures. We then utilised a suite of innovative statistical tools, driven by numerical ecology and machine learning, to address the above aims. We observed that drinking tap water was the main contributor to increased potential AMR signatures in the Pakistani cohort compared to other factors considered. Microbial niche breadth analysis highlighted an aberrant gut microbial signature of smokers with increased age. Moreover, covariates such as smoking and age impact the human microbial community structure in this Pakistani cohort.

Treatment of Dyslipidemia through Targeted Therapy of Gut Microbiota

Dyslipidemia is a multifaceted condition with various genetic and environmental factors contributing to its pathogenesis. Further, this condition represents an important risk factor for its related sequalae including cardiovascular diseases (CVD) such as coronary artery disease (CAD) and stroke. Emerging evidence has shown that gut microbiota and their metabolites can worsen or protect against the development of dyslipidemia. Although there are currently numerous treatment modalities available including lifestyle modification and pharmacologic interventions, there has been promising research on dyslipidemia that involves the benefits of modulating gut microbiota in treating alterations in lipid metabolism. In this review, we examine the relationship between gut microbiota and dyslipidemia, the impact of gut microbiota metabolites on the development of dyslipidemia, and the current research on dietary interventions, prebiotics, probiotics, synbiotics and microbiota transplant as therapeutic modalities in prevention of cardiovascular disease. Overall, understanding the mechanisms by which gut microbiota and their metabolites affect dyslipidemia progression will help develop more precise therapeutic targets to optimize lipid metabolism.

Gut-derived low-grade endotoxaemia, atherothrombosis and cardiovascular disease

Systemic inflammation has been suggested to have a pivotal role in atherothrombosis, but the factors that trigger systemic inflammation have not been fully elucidated. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a component of the membrane of Gram-negative bacteria present in the gut that can translocate into the systemic circulation, causing non-septic, low-grade endotoxaemia. Gut dysbiosis is a major determinant of low-grade endotoxaemia via dysfunction of the intestinal barrier scaffold, which is a prerequisite for LPS translocation into the systemic circulation. Experimental studies have demonstrated that LPS is present in atherosclerotic arteries but not in normal arteries. In atherosclerotic plaques, LPS promotes a pro-inflammatory status that can lead to plaque instability and thrombus formation. Low-grade endotoxaemia affects several cell types, including leukocytes, platelets and endothelial cells, leading to inflammation and clot formation. Low-grade endotoxaemia has been described in patients at risk of or with overt cardiovascular disease, in whom low-grade endotoxaemia was associated with atherosclerotic burden and its clinical sequelae. In this Review, we describe the mechanisms favouring the development of low-grade endotoxaemia, focusing on gut dysbiosis and changes in gut permeability; the plausible biological mechanisms linking low-grade endotoxaemia and atherothrombosis; the clinical studies suggesting that low-grade endotoxaemia is a risk factor for cardiovascular events; and the potential therapeutic tools to improve gut permeability and eventually eliminate low-grade endotoxaemia.

Anti-Diabetic and Cytotoxic Evaluation of Phlomis stewartii Plant Phytochemicals on Cigarette Smoke Inhalation and Alloxan-Induced Diabetes in Wistar Rats

The generation of free radicals in body causes oxidative stress and consequently different metabolic disorders. There are numerous environmental and emotional factors that trigger free radical generation, cigarette smoke (CS) is one of them. In addition to free radical production, it also increases the risk of developing type II diabetes, cancer, and has adverse effects on other organs such as liver and kidneys. In the present study, extracts of leaves, flower, and whole plant of P. stewartii Hf. in methanol were analyzed using LC-ESI-MS and investigated for their cytotoxic properties against HepG2 cell line and CS alloxan-induced diabetes in Wistar albino rats model. A total of 24 rats were kept in aerated cage for eight weeks and exposed to CS following the administration of single dose of alloxan@140 mg/kg body weight at the end of six weeks to induce diabetes mellitus (DM). The cytotoxic activity of extracts against HepG2 was recorded in the order; leaves methanol (LM) > flower methanol (FM) and whole plant methanol (WPM). The IC50(1/4) values were in the order of 187 (LM) > 280 (FM) > 312 (WPM) µg/mL against HepG2. In positive control group, CS- and alloxan-induced diabetes significantly increased (p < 0.05) the level of alanine alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), low density lipoprotein (LDL), bilirubin, total protein, creatinine, uric acid, blood urea, globulin, total oxidant status (TOS), and malondialdehyde (MDA), as compared to negative control group. In conclusion, according to the results of this study, P. Stewartii methanol extracts showed good antioxidant, anticancer activity and worked well to recover the tested clinical parameters in CS/alloxan-induced diabetes animals, which indicated the extracts also possess good antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, and nephroprotective potential.

Causal analysis identifies small HDL particles and physical activity as key determinants of longevity of older adults

BACKGROUND

The hard endpoint of death is one of the most significant outcomes in both clinical practice and research settings. Our goal was to discover direct causes of longevity from medically accessible data.

METHODS

Using a framework that combines local causal discovery algorithms with discovery of maximally predictive and compact feature sets (the "Markov boundaries" of the response) and equivalence classes, we examined 186 variables and their relationships with survival over 27 years in 1507 participants, aged ≥71 years, of the longitudinal, community-based D-EPESE study.

FINDINGS

As few as 8-15 variables predicted longevity at 2-, 5- and 10-years with predictive performance (area under receiver operator characteristic curve) of 0·76 (95% CIs 0·69, 0·83), 0·76 (0·72, 0·81) and 0·66 (0·61, 0·71), respectively. Numbers of small high-density lipoprotein particles, younger age, and fewer pack years of cigarette smoking were the strongest determinants of longevity at 2-, 5- and 10-years, respectively. Physical function was a prominent predictor of longevity at all time horizons. Age and cognitive function contributed to predictions at 5 and 10 years. Age was not among the local 2-year prediction variables (although significant in univariable analysis), thus establishing that age is not a direct cause of 2-year longevity in the context of measured factors in our data that determine longevity.

INTERPRETATION

The discoveries in this study proceed from causal data science analyses of deep clinical and molecular phenotyping data in a community-based cohort of older adults with known lifespan.

FUNDING

NIH/NIA R01AG054840, R01AG12765, and P30-AG028716, NIH/NIA Contract N01-AG-12102 and NCRR 1UL1TR002494-01.

Targets of statins intervention in LDL-C metabolism: Gut microbiota

Increasing researches have considered gut microbiota as a new “metabolic organ,” which mediates the occurrence and development of metabolic diseases. In addition, the liver is an important organ of lipid metabolism, and abnormal lipid metabolism can cause the elevation of blood lipids. Among them, elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is related with ectopic lipid deposition and metabolic diseases, and statins are widely used to lower LDL-C. In recent years, the gut microbiota has been shown to mediate statins efficacy, both in animals and humans. The effect of statins on microbiota abundance has been deeply explored, and the pathways through which statins reduce the LDL-C levels by affecting the abundance of microbiota have gradually been explored. In this review, we discussed the interaction between gut microbiota and cholesterol metabolism, especially the cholesterol-lowering effect of statins mediated by gut microbiota, via AMPK-PPARγ-SREBP1C/2, FXR and PXR-related, and LPS-TLR4-Myd88 pathways, which may help to explain the individual differences in statins efficacy.

Endotoxin Biomarkers Are Associated With Adiposity and Cardiometabolic Risk Across 6 Years of Follow-up in Youth

CONTEXT

Metabolic endotoxemia may be a shared mechanism underlying childhood obesity and early-onset metabolic diseases (eg, type 2 diabetes, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease).

OBJECTIVE

Examine prospective associations of serum endotoxin biomarkers lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and its binding protein, LPS binding protein (LBP), and anti-endotoxin core immunoglobulin G (EndoCab IgG) with adiposity and cardiometabolic risk in youth.

DESIGN/SETTING

This prospective study included 393 youth in the Exploring Perinatal Outcomes Among Children cohort in Colorado. Participants were recruited from 2006 to 2009 at age 10 years (baseline) and followed for 6 years (follow-up). We examined associations of endotoxin biomarkers at baseline with adiposity [body mass index (BMI) z-score, visceral adipose tissue (VAT), subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT), skinfolds, waist circumference] and cardiometabolic risk (insulin, glucose, adipokines, lipid profile, blood pressure) across both visits using mixed-effects regression, and with hepatic fat fraction (HFF) at follow-up using linear regression.

RESULTS

Higher LPS and LBP predicted greater adiposity across follow-up. Each 1-unit log-transformed LPS corresponded with 0.23 (95% CI 0.03, 0.43) units BMI z-score, 5.66 (95% CI 1.99, 9.33) mm3 VAT, 30.7 (95% CI 8.0, 53.3) mm3 SAT, and 8.26 (95% CI 4.13, 12.40) mm skinfold sum. EndoCab IgG was associated with VAT only [3.03 (95% CI 0.34, 5.71) mm3]. LPS was associated with higher insulin [1.93 (95% CI 0.08, 3.70) µU/mL] and leptin [2.28 (95% CI 0.66, 3.90) ng/mL] and an adverse lipid profile. No association was observed with HFF. Accounting for pubertal status and lifestyle behaviors did not change findings. However, adjustment for prepregnancy BMI and gestational diabetes attenuated most associations.

CONCLUSIONS

Serum endotoxin may be a marker of pathophysiological processes underlying development of childhood obesity and cardiometabolic conditions associated with exposure to fetal overnutrition.

Eco-Evolutionary Dynamics of the Human-Gut Microbiota Symbiosis in a Changing Nutritional Environment

The operational harmony between living beings and their circumstances, their ever-changing environment, is a constitutive condition of their existence. Nutrition and symbiosis are two essential aspects of this harmony. Disruption of the symbiosis between host and gut microbiota, the so-called dysbiosis, as well as the inadequate diet from which it results, contribute to the etiology of immunometabolic disorders. Research into the development of these diseases is highly influenced by our understanding of the evolutionary roots of metabolic functioning, thereby considering that chronic non-communicable diseases arise from an evolutionary mismatch. However, the lens has been mostly directed toward energy availability and metabolism, but away from our closest environmental factor, the gut microbiota. Thus, this paper proposes a narrative thread that places symbiosis in an evolutionary perspective, expanding the traditional framework of humans’ adaptation to their food environment.

Periodontitis and cardiometabolic disorders: The role of lipopolysaccharide and endotoxemia

Lipopolysaccharide is a virulence factor of gram-negative bacteria with a crucial importance to the bacterial surface integrity. From the host's perspective, lipopolysaccharide plays a role in both local and systemic inflammation, activates both innate and adaptive immunity, and can trigger inflammation either directly (as a microbe-associated molecular pattern) or indirectly (by inducing the generation of nonmicrobial, danger-associated molecular patterns). Translocation of lipopolysaccharide into the circulation causes endotoxemia, which is typically measured as the biological activity of lipopolysaccharide to induce coagulation of an aqueous extract of blood cells of the assay. Apparently healthy subjects have a low circulating lipopolysaccharide activity, since it is neutralized and cleared rapidly. However, chronic endotoxemia is involved in the pathogenesis of many inflammation-driven conditions, especially cardiometabolic disorders. These include atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases, obesity, liver diseases, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome, where endotoxemia has been recognized as a risk factor. The main source of endotoxemia is thought to be the gut microbiota. However, the oral dysbiosis in periodontitis, which is typically enriched with gram-negative bacterial species, may also contribute to endotoxemia. As endotoxemia is associated with an increased risk of cardiometabolic disorders, lipopolysaccharide could be considered as a molecular link between periodontal microbiota and cardiometabolic diseases.

Glycoprotein Acetyls: A Novel Inflammatory Biomarker of Early Cardiovascular Risk in the Young

Background Low-grade inflammation in the young may contribute to the early development of cardiovascular disease. We assessed whether circulating levels of glycoprotein acetyls (GlycA) were better able to predict the development of adverse cardiovascular disease risk profiles compared with the more commonly used biomarker high-sensitivity CRP (C-reactive protein). Methods and Results A total of 3306 adolescents and young adults from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (mean age, 15.4±0.3; n=1750) and Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study (mean age, 32.1±5.0; n=1556) were included. Baseline associations between inflammatory biomarkers, body composition, cardiovascular risk factors, and subclinical measures of vascular dysfunction were assessed cross-sectionally in both cohorts. Prospective risk of developing hypertension and metabolic syndrome during 9-to-10-year follow-up were also assessed as surrogate markers for future cardiovascular risk. GlycA showed greater within-subject correlation over 9-to-10-year follow-up in both cohorts compared with CRP, particularly in the younger adolescent group (r=0.36 versus 0.07). In multivariable analyses, GlycA was found to associate with multiple lifestyle-related cardiovascular disease risk factors, cardiometabolic risk factor burden, and vascular dysfunction (eg, mean difference in flow-mediated dilation=-1.2 [-1.8, -0.7]% per z-score increase). In contrast, CRP levels appeared predominantly driven by body mass index and showed little relationship to any measured cardiovascular risk factors or phenotypes. In both cohorts, only GlycA predicted future risk of both hypertension (risk ratio [RR], ≈1.1 per z-score increase for both cohorts) and metabolic syndrome (RR, ≈1.2-1.3 per z-score increase for both cohorts) in 9-to-10-year follow-up. Conclusions Low-grade inflammation captured by the novel biomarker GlycA is associated with adverse cardiovascular risk profiles from as early as adolescence and predicts future risk of hypertension and metabolic syndrome in up to 10-year follow-up. GlycA is a stable inflammatory biomarker which may capture distinct sources of inflammation in the young and may provide a more sensitive measure than CRP for detecting early cardiovascular risk.

Genetic Profile of Endotoxemia Reveals an Association With Thromboembolism and Stroke

Background Translocation of lipopolysaccharide from gram-negative bacteria into the systemic circulation results in endotoxemia. In addition to acute infections, endotoxemia is detected in cardiometabolic disorders, such as cardiovascular diseases and obesity. Methods and Results We performed a genome-wide association study of serum lipopolysaccharide activity in 11 296 individuals from 6 different Finnish study cohorts. Endotoxemia was measured by limulus amebocyte lysate assay in the whole population and by 2 other techniques (Endolisa and high-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry) in subpopulations. The associations of the composed genetic risk score of endotoxemia and thrombosis-related clinical end points for 195 170 participants were analyzed in FinnGen. Lipopolysaccharide activity had a genome-wide significant association with 741 single-nucleotide polymorphisms in 5 independent loci, which were mainly located at genes affecting the contact activation of the coagulation cascade and lipoprotein metabolism and explained 1.5% to 9.2% of the variability in lipopolysaccharide activity levels. The closest genes included KNG1, KLKB1, F12, SLC34A1, YPEL4, CLP1, ZDHHC5, SERPING1, CBX5, and LIPC. The genetic risk score of endotoxemia was associated with deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, pulmonary heart disease, and venous thromboembolism. Conclusions The biological activity of lipopolysaccharide in the circulation (ie, endotoxemia) has a small but highly significant genetic component. Endotoxemia is associated with genetic variation in the contact activation pathway, vasoactivity, and lipoprotein metabolism, which play important roles in host defense, lipopolysaccharide neutralization, and thrombosis, and thereby thromboembolism and stroke.