Endothelial Dysfunction and Hypertension in African Americans: Overview of the Role of the Gut Microbiome

• DOI: 10.12691/ajhr-6-1-1
• Publication Date: 2019-06-25
• Authors: Marc D. Cook; Lanna Anderson; Maitha Aldokhayyil; Adelola Adeyemo; Mesha W. Guinyard; Michael Brown
• Keywords: Dysbiosis; Endothelial Dysfunction; Pathophysiology of hypertension; Essential hypertension

Hypertension (now defined by systolic blood pressure/diastolic pressure [SBP/DBP] greater than 130/90 mmHg), is one of the most common cardiovascular disorders and a critical public health economic concern. African Americans have greatest burden hypertension elucidating causes this racial disparity important for amending developing effective treatment strategies. Although studies provided mechanistic insight concerning characteristics endothelial dysfunction, which likely precedes in Americans, our knowledge limited internal systems (i.e., gut) that may affect vascular outcomes. Recent report types, balance, microbes gut are significant contributors to disease. Gut microbial dysbiosis, an unhealthy poorly diverse profile, has been linked other diseases disproportionately health. Relative hypertension, dysbiosis characterized as reduced richness short chain fatty acid (SCFA) producing microbes. SCFAs metabolites produced beneficially impact cellular functions, specifically smooth muscle cells. Studies microbiome disease humans grossly underrepresent minority populations. This brief review will overview factors provide into potential role highlighting “gut-vascular axis”