Project description
Role of the gut microbiota in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are one of the main causes of mortality in Europe. Epidemiological and clinical studies suggest that the consumption of polyphenols (PPs)-containing food protects against CVDs. The gut microbiota has also emerged as an essential player in the regulation of PPs bioactivity. Recent clinical trials have indicated that the microbiota composition is important for the effectiveness of PPs. The EU-funded PolyBiota project will provide new insights into the role of the gut microbiota as a key player in CVDs prevention via beneficial effects of the PPs-rich food. The research will focus on the role of the gut microbiota as a mediator of the mechanisms associated with CVDs prevention and the improvement of CVDs treatment.
Objective
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the main cause of mortality in Europe with an annual estimated cost of €210 billion. Different European Public Health strategies have targeted diet to prevent/treat CVDs. This multidisciplinary and multi-institutional project aims to provide new insights into the role of the gut microbiota as a key player in the beneficial effects against CVDs associated with the consumption of Polyphenols (PPs)-rich foods. PolyBiota will be developed through innovative research at one of the epicenters of PPs research (CEBAS-CSIC) and secondment at FISABIO (Valencia, Spain). Epidemiological, clinical, and preclinical studies suggest that the consumption of PPs-containing food protects against CVDs (i.e modulating angiogenesis in atherosclerotic plaques) . However, these benefits are not always observed due to the high inter-individual variability. The gut microbiota has emerged as an essential player that regulates the bioactivity of PPs. Recent clinical trials indicate that the gut microbiota composition play a critical role in the activity of PPs improving CV biomarkers. These studies open a new door to investigate how the interaction PPs-gut microbiota can modulate mechanisms associated with the improvement of CVDs. PolyBiota will investigate: i) role of the gut microbiota as mediator of the effects of the consumption of Ellagitannins (ETs)-/urolithin (Uro)-A- and Isoflavones (IsoFlv)-/equol-enriched diets on angiogenesis/mechanisms related in untreated and antibiotic-treated animals, ii) the “prebiotic-like effect” of the ETs, Uro-A, IsoFlv and equol consumption on the gut microbiota population, iii) the effects of the gut microbiota-biosynthesized messenguers or the ETs- and IsoFlv-derived metabolites on in vitro tubulogenesis. PolyBiota shows an innovative approach combining cutting-edge techniques, “big data” management, endothelial cells, and in vivo animal models providing a holistic scene of the Diet-Gut Microbiota-Host interaction.
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Funding Scheme
MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF)Coordinator
28006 Madrid
Spain