Gut microbes may influence hea through brain discovery

Millions of people around the world suffer from hypertension and heart failure, but doctors still cannot always explain why the heart muscle loses its elasticity and stops relaxing. This condition, known as “diastolic dysfunction,” is often a precursor to serious complications. A group of researchers from Center molecular medicine named after. Max Delbrück (Germany) discovered a direct line of communication between the intestinal microflora, brain neurons and heart function. The results of the work were published in the journal Circulation Research.

Mediator molecule

Using zebrafish as a biological model, scientists have found that certain gut bacteria produce the molecule indole-3-acetic acid.thought acidsy (IAA) – from the dietary amino acid tryptophan. It turned out that IAA serves as a critical signal for the central nervous system.

“We were amazed that a single bacterial metabolite could simultaneously affect the brain, heart, and key hormonal systems,” said lead study author Bhakti Zakarauskas-Seth. “This shows that the brain acts as a central hub in communication between the gut and the cardiovascular system.”

How the brain “makes” the heart harden

The researchers focused on a special group of neurons in the hypothalamus that produce the neuropeptides hypocretins (Hcrt, also known as orexins). These cells regulate involuntary body functions: sleep, appetite and cardiac activity.

It turned out that when IAA levels drop, these neurons become abnormally active. This causes excessive sympathetic stimulation of the heart, causing its tissues to become stiff and the ability to relax normally is impaired. When did scientists artificially compensate for IAA deficiency in experimental subjects? fishbrain activity returned to normal, and blood pressure and level hormones (renin and angiotensinogen) returned to healthy values.

Prospects for treatment

To test the theory in humans, the authors studied data from patients with hypertension. It turned out that the level of IAA in their blood was significantly reduced. It is noteworthy that in women with high blood pressure the level of this metabolite was significantly lower than in men in a similar conditionAnd.

Diastolic dysfunction occurs in half of people over 70 years of age and is the leading cause of heart failure. For such patients, the discovery opens up new horizons. IAA levels may become a biomarker for identifying risk groups. Stimulating the production of this molecule through diet, probiotics or supplements could be a new strategy for preventing heart disease.

ANDThe study once again confirms: the body is not a collection of isolated organs. The health of the intestines and the balance of microflora directly determine how efficiently our heart will beat.

Diet for the heart: where to look for the “raw materials” for a beneficial metabolite?

Since the protective molecule IAA (indole-3-acetic acid) is produced by bacteria from the amino acid tryptophan, maintaining itsis level directly depends on the diet. To help the intestinal microflora uninterruptedly supply the brain and heart with the right signals, it is important to include tryptophan source foods in the menu:

• Leaders in content – Thard cheeses (Parmesan, Maasdam), red and black caviar, as well as soybeans.
• Animal protein: Andturkey and chicken, rabbit, beef liver and fatty sea fish (salmon, herring).
• Plant sources: onuts (especially cashews and almonds), pumpkin and sesame seeds, buckwheat and oatmeal.
• Legumes: hlentils, peas and beans.

Important nuance: dA healthy microflora is required to convert tryptophan into useful metabolites. INIt is important to support intestinal biodiversity with fiber (vegetables and fruits), which serves as “fuel” for the bacteria themselves.