Gut Microbiome Associates With Lifetime Cardiovascular Disease Risk Profile Among Bogalusa Heart Study Participants

Abstract

Rationale: Few studies have systematically assessed the influence of gut microbiota on cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. Objective: To examine the association between gut microbiota and lifetime CVD risk profile among 55 Bogalusa Heart Study participants with the highest and 57 with the lowest lifetime burdens of CVD risk factors. Methods and Results: 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing was conducted on microbial DNA extracted from stool samples of the Bogalusa Heart Study participants. α Diversity, including measures of richness and evenness, and individual genera were tested for associations with lifetime CVD risk profile. Multivariable regression techniques were used to adjust for age, sex, and race (model 1), along with body mass index (model 2) and both body mass index and diet (model 3). In model 1, odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) for each SD increase in richness, measured by the number of observed operational taxonomic units, Chao 1 index, and abundance-based coverage estimator, were 0.62 (0.39–0.99), 0.61 (0.38–0.98), and 0.63 (0.39–0.99), respectively. Associations were consistent in models 2 and 3. Four genera were enriched among those with high versus low CVD risk profile in all models. Model 1 P values were 2.12×10 −3 , 7.95×10 −5 , 4.39×10 −4 , and 1.51×10 −4 for Prevotella 2, Prevotella 7 , Tyzzerella , and Tyzzerella 4 , respectively. Two genera were depleted among those with high versus low CVD risk profile in all models. Model 1 P values were 2.96×10 −6 and 1.82×10 −4 for Alloprevotella and Catenibacterium , respectively. Conclusions: The current study identified associations of overall microbial richness and 6 microbial genera with lifetime CVD risk.