Patients with transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTR) had a gut microbiome that differed from that of healthy individuals, with potential effects on heart health and digestion, according to results from a study published recently in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences.
This study found that specific bacteria were associated with key biomarkers of heart failure, gastrointestinal symptoms and physical performance. These results suggest that the gut microbiome could play a role in progression of disease and may offer a new avenue for treatment strategies.
“Patients with ATTR amyloidosis showed a different microbiome profile than those in the control group,” said this study’s authors. They continued, “The microbiome profile is correlated with genotype, gastrointestinal symptoms, heart failure biomarkers, echocardiographic parameters, and six-minute walk tests.”
The study included 60 participants divided into three groups: 20 with transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM), 19 with ATTR without heart involvement, and 21 healthy controls. Researchers analyzed their gut bacteria using gene sequencing and examined their heart function, genetics and physical performance.
Compared to the control group, patients with ATTR amyloidosis had higher levels of Streptococcus, Lachnospiraceae, and Sellimonas bacteria, while healthy individuals had a greater abundance of Methanosphaera. These bacterial differences were linked to various clinical outcomes.
Read more about prognosis and staging of ATTR-CM
Streptococcus levels were associated with increased troponin, a marker of heart damage. Patients with higher levels of the genus Lachnospiraceae had lower levels of BNP, a protein that rises in heart failure, and smaller left atria, suggesting better heart function. Meanwhile, Sellimonas was linked to more severe digestive symptoms, and Methanosphaera was more common in those with fewer digestive issues. These associations indicate that the gut microbiome may influence both cardiac and gastrointestinal health in patients with ATTR amyloidosis.
Further analysis revealed that patients with more severe heart involvement or worse physical performance tended to have higher amounts of certain bacteria, such as Intestinomonas and Butyricicoccaceae. Those with the hereditary form of ATTR showed a distinct microbiome profile, with Intestinomonas being more abundant. In addition, gut bacteria differed based on genetic mutations, heart size, and the ability to walk longer distances.
These results highlight a potential link between gut bacteria and symptoms of ATTR. While more research is needed, targeting the microbiome with probiotics, prebiotics or other therapies may help manage symptoms and slow progression of disease. Understanding how bacteria interact with heart and digestive health could lead to more personalized treatments for patients with ATTR.
By identifying specific bacterial patterns, this study lays the groundwork for future research on microbiome-based therapies. Further investigation could explore whether modifying gut bacteria can improve heart function, reduce digestive symptoms and enhance overall quality of life for patients with ATTR.
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