Gut Microbiota Has a Crucial Role in the Development of Hypertension and Vascular Dysfunction in Toll-like Receptor 7-Driven Lupus Autoimmunity.

Our group has investigated the involvement of gut microbiota in hypertension in a murine model of systemic lupus erythematosus induced by Toll-like receptor (TLR)-7 activation. Female BALB/c mice were randomly assigned to four experimental groups: an untreated control (CTR), a group treated with the TLR7 agonist imiquimod (IMQ), IMQ-treated with vancomycin, and IMQ-treated with a cocktail of broad-spectrum antibiotics. We carried out faecal microbiota transplant (FMT) from donor CTR or IMQ mice to recipient IMQ or CTR animals, respectively.

Protective Effects of Short-Chain Fatty Acids on Endothelial Dysfunction Induced by Angiotensin II.

Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are among the main classes of bacterial metabolic products and are mainly synthesized in the colon through bacterial fermentation. Short-chain fatty acids, such as acetate, butyrate, and propionate, reduce endothelial activation induced by proinflammatory mediators, at least in part, by activation of G protein-coupled receptors (GPRs): GPR41 and GPR43. The objective of the study was to analyze the possible protective effects of SCFAs on endothelial dysfunction induced by angiotensin II (AngII).