Study Links Unhealthy Gut Microbes With High Blood Pressure

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A recent study found that, the microorganisms in the intestines (microbiota) plays a key role in the development of high blood pressure in rats. A microbiota is described as the ecological community of commensal, pathogenic and symbiotic microorganisms that reside in the body.

Typically, the microbes do not cause infections and diseases unless they grow abnormally nonpathogenic organisms but otherwise, they exist in harmony and symbiotically with their hosts. It is reported that the microbiome and host may have emerged as a unit via the process of integration.

The researchers conducted the study on two groups of rats. Rats with high blood pressure (hypertensive) where placed in one group and those with a normal blood pressure were placed in the other group. They took portions of the biological material from the large intestine of each rat group and then administered antibiotic to both groups for 10 days so as to reduce their natural microbiota.

The study authors transplanted hypertensive microbiota to normal blood pressure rats and normal microbiota to the hypertensive group after the course of antibiotics. They found that the group that was administered hypertensive microbiota developed increased blood pressure, according to Science Daily.

Something more interesting about the findings is that the rats treated with normal microbiota did not have a substantial decrease in blood pressure, even though the readings did decrease slightly.

The researchers noted that their finding is further evidence for the continued study of the microbiota in the development of hypertension in humans. It also supports a potential role for probiotics as treatment for hypertension. They believe that the findings of their studies which revealed that supplementing diet with probiotics - beneficial microorganisms found in the gut, can have significant effects on blood pressure, especially in hypertensive models, according to Medical Express.

The researchers said: "Manipulation of the gut microbiota may represent an innovative treatment for hypertension," said the study published in the journal Physiological Genomics. They published the findings of their study in Physiological Genomics which is selected as an APSselect article for February.