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Monday 21 Dec 2015 - 15:11 Makkah mean time-10-3-1437
Scientists have discovered the key to treating heart disease could lie in the gut. They found targeting microbes in the intestines could block heart disease which is triggered by a diet rich in high-dairy, red meat and eggs.
Cleveland, US (IINA) - Targeting microbes in the intestines could, scientists believe, block heart disease induced by a diet rich in high-fat dairy products, red meat and eggs, Mail Online health news reported.
Experts at the Cleveland Clinic say their discovery could pave the way for new therapies for treating the condition, which can trigger heart attacks and stroke.
They hope it could also help fight other metabolic diseases linked to gut microbes, including diabetes.
Study author Dr Stanley Hazen, of the Lerner Research Institute and the Miller Family Heart and Vascular Institute, said: ‘Many chronic diseases like atherosclerosis, obesity and diabetes are linked to gut microbes.
‘These studies demonstrate the exciting possibility that we can prevent or retard the progression of diet-induced heart diseases starting in the gut.
‘This opens the door in the future to new types of therapies for atherosclerosis, as well as other metabolic diseases.’
Dr Hazen and his team identified a naturally occurring inhibitor called DMB- or 3, 3-dimethyl-1-butanol, which is found in some cold-press extra virgin olive oils and grape seed oils.
The inhibitor was used to reduce levels of TMAO or trimethylamine N-oxide, a byproduct formed in the gut through the digestion of animal fats.
It also reduced atherosclerosis a disease which causes plaque to build up and block the arteries.
Heart disease kills approximately 610,000 people in the US each year – accounting for one in every four deaths according to the Centers for Disease Control.
The team of researchers previously uncovered that TMAO is linked to atherosclerosis and heart disease.
TMAO is a gut metabolite that is formed during the digestion of choline, phosphatidylcholine (or lecithin) and carnitine all nutrients that are abundant in animal products.
Carnitine is found in red meat in liver, whereas choline and lecithin are abundant in beef, lamb, liver, egg yolk and high-fat dairy products.
Blood TMAO levels have been linked to heightened heart attacks, stroke and death.
In the current study, the researchers found that targeted inhibition of the first step of TMAO generation – commensal microbial trimethylamine (TMA) production can prevent diet-induced atherosclerosis.
The team inhibited TMA production using the inhibitor DMB in mice fed a high choline or carnitine diet.
The mice treated with the inhibitor were found to have less TMAO. They also developed less atherosclerosis.
The researchers pointed out that AMB is not an antibiotic. However, they found that a treatment could target a specific microbial pathway while protecting gut flora and avoiding antibiotic overuse and resistance.
Antibiotic overuse is a worldwide health crisis, they added. Dr Hazen said: ‘We were able to show that “drugging the microbiome” is an effective way to block this type of diet induced heart disease. ‘The inhibitor prevents formation of a waste product produced by gut microbes, leading to lower TMAO levels and prevention of diet-dependent atherosclerosis.
‘This is much like how we use statins to inhibit cholesterol synthesis in human cells.’ The study was published in the journal Cell.
SM/IINA
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