Metabolic Reprogramming, Gut Dysbiosis, and Nutrition Intervention in Canine Heart Disease

MS4A1-PTGS2 axis induces taurine metabolic reprogramming to exacerbate abdominal aortic aneurysm progression

This study unveils the pivotal roles of taurine metabolic reprogramming and its implications in the development and progression of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA). Leveraging an integrated approach that combines single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA), our research investigates the intricate transcriptional and gene expression dynamics crucial to AAA. Our findings uniquely link metabolic shifts to the integrity of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and the functionality of smooth muscle cells (SMCs), key elements in the pathology of AAA. Utilizing scRNA-seq data from a mouse model (GSE152583 dataset), we identified critical alterations in cellular composition during AAA progression, particularly highlighting shifts in fibroblasts and inflammatory cells. Concurrently, WGCNA of human AAA tissue samples has outlined distinct gene expression patterns correlated with disease severity and progression, offering comprehensive insights into both molecular and cellular disease mechanisms. Moreover, this study introduces innovative metabolic profiling techniques to identify differential metabolites in AAA, integrating extensive metabolomic analyses with pathway enrichment strategies. This novel approach has pinpointed potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets, notably within taurine metabolism pathways, crucial for crafting non-surgical interventions. By merging state-of-the-art bioinformatics with thorough molecular analysis, our study not only enhances the understanding of AAA's complex pathophysiology but also catalyzes the development of targeted therapeutic strategies. This research represents a significant advancement in the molecular characterization of AAA, with substantial implications for its future diagnosis and treatment strategies.

The Relationship between Canine Behavioral Disorders and Gut Microbiome and Future Therapeutic Perspectives

Canine behavioral disorders have become one of the most common concerns and challenging issues among dog owners. Thus, there is a great demand for knowledge about various factors affecting dogs' emotions and well-being. Among them, the gut-brain axis seems to be particularly interesting, especially since in many instances the standard treatment or behavioral therapies insufficiently improve animal behavior. Therefore, to face this challenge, the search for novel therapeutic methods is highly required. Existing data show that mammals' gut microbiome, immune system, and nervous system are in continuous communication and influence animal physiology and behavior. This review aimed to summarize and discuss the most important scientific evidence on the relationship between mental disorders and gut microbiota in dogs, simultaneously presenting comparable outcomes in humans and rodent models. A comprehensive overview of crucial mechanisms of the gut-brain axis is included. This refers especially to the neurotransmitters crucial for animal behavior, which are regulated by the gut microbiome, and to the main microbial metabolites-short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). This review presents summarized data on gut dysbiosis in relation to the inflammation process within the organism, as well as the activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. All of the above mechanisms are presented in this review in strict correlation with brain and/or behavioral changes in the animal. Additionally, according to human and laboratory animal studies, the gut microbiome appears to be altered in individuals with mental disorders; thus, various strategies to manipulate the gut microbiota are implemented. This refers also to the fecal microbiome transplantation (FMT) method, based on transferring the fecal matter from a donor into the gastrointestinal tract of a recipient in order to modulate the gut microbiota. In this review, the possible effects of the FMT procedure on animal behavioral disorders are discussed.

RNA sequencing provides novel insights into the pathogenesis of naturally occurring myxomatous mitral valve disease stage B1 in beagle dogs

Myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) is the most common cardiovascular disorder in dogs with a high prevalence, accounting for approximately 75% of all canine heart disease cases. MMVD is a complex disease and shows variable progression from mild valve leakage to severe regurgitation, potentially leading to heart failure. However, the molecular mechanisms and age-related changes that govern disease progression, especially at the early stage (B1) before the development of discernable clinical signs, remain poorly understood. In this prospective study, we aimed to compare gene expression differences between blood samples of aged beagle dogs with stage B1 MMVD and those of healthy controls using RNA sequencing. Clinical evaluation was also conducted, which revealed minimal differences in radiographic and echocardiographic measurements despite distinct biomarker variations between the two groups. Comparative transcriptomics revealed differentially expressed genes associated with extracellular matrix remodeling, prostaglandin metabolism, immune modulation, and interferon-related pathways, which bear functional relevance for MMVD. In particular, the top 10 over- and under-expressed genes represent promising candidates for influencing pathogenic changes in MMVD stage B1. Our research findings, which include identified variations in clinical markers and gene expression, enhance our understanding of MMVD. Furthermore, they underscore the need for further research into early diagnosis and treatment strategies, as, to the best of our knowledge, no prior studies have explored the precise molecular mechanisms of stage B1 in MMVD through total RNA sequencing.

A scoping review: urinary markers of metabolic maturation in infants with CHD and the relationship to growth

BACKGROUND

Growth failure in infants born with CHD is a persistent problem, even in those provided with adequate nutrition.

OBJECTIVE

To summarise the published data describing the change in urinary metabolites during metabolic maturation in infants with CHD and identify pathways amenable to therapeutic intervention.

DESIGN

Scoping review.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Studies using qualitative or quantitative methods to describe urinary metabolites pre- and post-cardiac surgery and the relationship with growth in infants with CHD.

SOURCES OF EVIDENCE

NICE Healthcare Databases website was used as a tool for multiple searches.

RESULTS

347 records were identified, of which 37 were duplicates. Following the removal of duplicate records, 310 record abstracts and titles were screened for inclusion. The full texts of eight articles were reviewed for eligibility, of which only two related to infants with CHD. The studies included in the scoping review described urinary metabolites in 42 infants. A content analysis identified two overarching themes of metabolic variation predictive of neurodevelopmental abnormalities associated with anaerobic metabolism and metabolic signature associated with the impact on gut microbiota, inflammation, energy, and lipid digestion.

CONCLUSION

The results of this scoping review suggest that there are considerable gaps in our knowledge relating to metabolic maturation of infants with CHD, especially with respect to growth. Surgery is a key early life feature for CHD infants and has an impact on the developing biochemical phenotype with implications for metabolic pathways involved in immunomodulation, energy, gut microbial, and lipid metabolism. These early life fingerprints may predict those individuals at risk for neurodevelopmental abnormalities.

Combined analysis of plasma metabolome and intestinal microbiome sequencing to explore jiashen prescription and its potential role in changing intestine–heart axis and effect on chronic heart failure

Background

Heart failure (HF) is a syndrome with global clinical and socioeconomic burden worldwide owing to its poor prognosis. Jiashen Prescription (JSP), a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula, exhibits unambiguous effects on treating HF. Previously, we have reported that underlying mechanisms of JSP by an untargeted metabolomics approach, but the contribution of gut microbiota and metabolic interaction to the cardioprotective efficacy of JSP remains to be elucidated.

Materials and methods

Firstly, the rat model of heart failure was established by the permanent ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery. The efficacy evaluation of JSP in treating HF rats was per-formed by left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Then, 16S rRNA gene sequencing and LC/MS-based metabolomic analysis were utilized to explore the characteristics of cecal-contents microecology and plasma metabolic profile, respectively. After that, the correlation between intestinal micro-ecological characteristics and plasma metabolic characteristics was analyzed to explore the potential mechanism of the JSP treatment in HF.

Results

JSP could improve the cardiac function of heart failure rats and thus ameliorate heart failure via enhancing rat LVEF. Results of intestinal flora analysis revealed that JSP not only adjusted gut microbiota disturbances by enriching species diversity, reducing the abundance of pathogenic bacteria (such as Allobaculum, Brevinema), as well as increasing the abundance of beneficial bacteria (such as Lactobacillus, Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group), but also improved metabolic disorders by reversing metabolite plasma levels to normality. Through the conjoint analysis of 8 metabolites and the OTUs relative abundance data in the 16srRNA sequencing results by WGCNA method, 215 floras significantly related to the eight compounds were identified. The results of the correlation analysis demonstrated a significant association between intestinal microbiota and plasma metabolic profile, especially the significant correlation of Ruminococcaceae_UCG-014 and Protoporphyrin IX, Ruminococcaceae_UCG-005, Christensenellaceae_R-7_group and nicotinamide, dihydrofolic acid.

Conclusion

The present study illustrated the underlying mechanism of JSP to treat heart failure by affecting intestinal flora and plasma metabolites, provide a potential therapeutic strategy against heart failure.

Key nutrients important in the management of canine myxomatous mitral valve disease and heart failure

The most common cause of heart failure in dogs is myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD), which accounts for approximately 75% of canine heart disease cases and is especially common in smaller dogs. Although low-sodium diets have been recommended for humans with heart diseases for decades, there is little evidence to support this practice in dogs. In recent years, however, it has become clear that other nutrients are important to heart health. Dogs with heart disease secondary to MMVD experience patterns of metabolic changes that include decreased mitochondrial energy metabolism and ATP availability, with increased oxidative stress and inflammation. These changes occur early in disease and progress with worsening heart disease. Key nutrients that may support normal function and address these changes include omega-3 fatty acids, medium-chain triglycerides, magnesium, antioxidants including vitamin E and taurine, and the amino acids methionine and lysine. The long-chain omega-3 fatty acids provide anti-inflammatory, antithrombotic, and other benefits. Medium-chain fatty acids and ketones derived from medium-chain triglycerides provide an alternative energy source for cardiac mitochondria and help reduce free radical production. Magnesium supports mitochondrial function, normal cardiac rhythm, and provides other benefits. Both vitamin E and taurine counter oxidative stress, and taurine also has direct cardiac benefits. Dogs with MMVD have reduced plasma methionine. Methionine and lysine are important for carnitine production as well as other functions. This article reviews the evidence supporting the functions and benefits of these and other nutrients in MMVD and other cardiac conditions.