GUT microbiota composition and a specific faecal metabolite were found to be associated with coronary heart disease (CHD) in a new cross-sectional study, offering fresh insight into the gut–heart axis.
Cardiovascular disease remains a leading global cause of mortality, and while traditional risk factors such as hyperlipidaemia and hypertension are well established, growing evidence suggests the gut microbiome may also play a role. However, the specific microbial signatures and metabolites linked to CHD have remained unclear.
Gut Microbiota in Coronary Heart Disease
In this study, researchers analysed 55 Thai male participants divided into three groups: healthy controls, patients with hyperlipidaemia, and patients with CHD. Using 16S rRNA gene sequencing, the team profiled gut microbiota composition, while gas chromatography–mass spectrometry was employed to measure faecal short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) and branched short-chain fatty acids (BSCFA).
The findings revealed a significantly higher abundance of an Eubacterium species, with 100% sequence similarity to Eubacterium liposum, in patients with CHD compared with both control and hyperlipidaemia groups (false discovery rate: 0.0002 and 0.0018, respectively).
Although this bacterium represented a relatively small proportion of the overall microbiota, its increased presence suggests a potential role in disease processes.
2-Methylbutyric Acid Emerges as Key Metabolite
Importantly, the CHD group also exhibited significantly elevated levels of 2-methylbutyric acid, a BSCFA. Statistical analysis demonstrated a moderate positive correlation between this metabolite and CHD development (r=0.5037; p=0.0001).
These findings point towards a possible metabolic pathway linking gut microbial activity to cardiovascular risk. BSCFAs are typically derived from protein fermentation, raising questions about dietary influences and their downstream effects on cardiovascular health.
Implications and Limitations
While the study provides compelling preliminary data, its cross-sectional design means causality cannot be established. The relatively small sample size and restriction to Thai male participants also limit generalisability.
Nevertheless, the results support the growing concept that gut microbiota and their metabolites may contribute to CHD pathophysiology. Future longitudinal and mechanistic studies will be essential to determine whether these microbial markers could serve as diagnostic tools or therapeutic targets.
As research into the gut–heart axis continues to evolve, these findings highlight a potentially important link between microbial composition, metabolic by-products, and cardiovascular disease risk.
Reference
Dechkhajorn W et al. Gut microbiota and fecal 2-methylbutyric acid in coronary heart disease: a cross-sectional study. Sci Rep. 2026;DOI:10.1038/s41598-026-49930-0.
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