| Literature DB >> 32214138 |
Martin Kummen1,2,3, Ole Geir Solberg4, Christopher Storm-Larsen1,2,3, Kristian Holm1,2,3, Asgrimur Ragnarsson5, Marius Trøseid2,3,6, Beate Vestad2,3, Rita Skårdal4, Arne Yndestad2,3,7, Thor Ueland2,3,8, Asbjørn Svardal9, Rolf K Berge9,10, Ingebjørg Seljeflot2,11, Lars Gullestad2,4, Tom H Karlsen1,2,3,12, Lars Aaberge4, Pål Aukrust2,3,6, Johannes R Hov13,14,15,16.
Abstract
The gut microbiome contributes to the variation of blood lipid levels, and secondary bile acids are associated with the effect of statins. Yet, our knowledge of how statins, one of our most common drug groups, affect the human microbiome is scarce. We aimed to characterize the effect of rosuvastatin on gut microbiome composition and inferred genetic content in stool samples from a randomized controlled trial (n = 66). No taxa were significantly altered by rosuvastatin during the study. However, rosuvastatin-treated participants showed a reduction in the collective genetic potential to transport and metabolize precursors of the pro-atherogenic metabolite trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO, p < 0.01), and an increase of related metabolites betaine and γ-butyrobetaine in plasma (p < 0.01). Exploratory analyses in the rosuvastatin group showed that participants with the least favorable treatment response (defined as < median change in high-density/low-density lipoprotein (HDL/LDL) ratio) showed a marked increase in TMAO-levels compared to those with a more favorable response (p < 0.05). Our data suggest that while rosuvastatin has a limited effect on gut microbiome composition, it could exert broader collective effects on the microbiome relevant to their function, providing a rationale for further studies of the influence of statins on the gut microbiome.Entities:
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Year: 2020 PMID: 32214138 PMCID: PMC7096534 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-62261-y
Source DB: PubMed Journal: Sci Rep ISSN: 2045-2322 Impact factor: 4.379
Baseline characteristics of randomized patients with microbiota data available from baseline and study end.
| Placebo | Rosuvastatin | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Age, years | 51.5 (±8.7) | 59.3 (±6.9) | 0.003 | |
| Sex (female) | 20 (100) | 20 (100) | 1.000 | |
| Current or former smoker | 13 (65) | 13 (65) | 1.000 | |
| Body mass index, kg/m2 | 28.3 (±5.1) | 25.2 (±3.8) | 0.052b | |
| Hypertension | 4 (20) | 5 (25) | 0.500 | |
| Diabetes mellitus type 2 | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | — | |
| Family history of CAD | 16 (80) | 13 (65) | 0.240 | |
| ACEi/ARB | 3 (15) | 1 (5) | 0.302 | |
| Beta blockers | 8 (40) | 5 (25) | 0.250 | |
| Calcium-channel blocker | 1 (5) | 1 (5) | 0.756 | |
| Aspirin | 14 (70) | 13 (65) | 0.500 | |
| Proton pump inhibitors | 3 (15) | 0 (0) | 0.115 | |
| Total cholesterol, mmol/L | 6.0 (±1.5) | 5.9 (±1.0) | 0.923 | |
| LDL, mmol/L | 4.0 (±1.4) | 3.7 (±0.9) | 0.422 | |
| HDL, mmol/L | 1.5 (±0.6) | 1.9 (±0.4) | 0.035 | |
| Triglycerides, mmol/L | 1.8 (±0.9) | 1.3 (±0.6) | 0.038 | |
| Hemoglobin, g/dL | 14.1 (±0.7) | 13.9 (±0.8) | 0.485 | |
| Creatinine, µmol/L | 65.5 (±11.4) | 64.6 (±7.0) | 0.765 | |
| Total bilirubin, mg/dL | 6.3 (±2.4) | 7.5 (±5.0) | 0.362 | 18/19 |
| AST, U/L | 22.4 (±6.7) | 25.5 (±5.9) | 0.134 | |
| ALT, U/L | 21.1 (±11.3) | 22.4 (±7.5) | 0.674 | 19/20 |
| ALP, U/L | 65.6 (±18.5) | 62.0 (11.7) | 0.481 | 17/19 |
| HbA1c, % | 5.7 (±0.4) | 5.6 (±0.4) | 0.510 | |
| CRP, mg/L | 4.0 (±3.7) | 2.3 (±2.1) | 0.099b | |
Data are mean ± SD or n (%) values. aComplete data unless specified as n in placebo/rosuvastatin. bRight-skewed data compared using the Mann-Whitney U test, all other variables compared using the Students t-test. ACEi, angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitor; ALP, alkaline phosphatase; ALT, alanine transaminase, ARB, angiotensin II receptor blockers; AST, aspartate transaminase; CAD, coronary artery disease; CRP, C-reactive protein; HDL, high-density lipoprotein; LDL, low-density lipoprotein.
Figure 1A trend towards increased gut microbial richness in participants receiving rosuvastatin. Participants on rosuvastatin treatment showed an increase in gut microbial richness (delta Chao1, paired t-test p = 0.04), but this increase was not statistically significant compared with the placebo group (PGLM = 0.22). A similar trend was detected for Phylogenetic diversity, while the change in Shannon diversity index was similar in the rosuvastatin and the placebo group. Data shown as mean ±95% CI. Paired t-test from baseline and study-end within the same study group, denoted p. Comparison of change between the study groups using repeated measures ANOVA from baseline and study-end, denoted PGLM. Values at 4 weeks missing for n = 1 in each group.
Figure 2Functions (KEGG Orthologs) in the gut microbiota related to cellular transport and metabolism along the choline/betaine-trimethylamine (TMA) metabolic pathway are affected by rosuvastatin treatment. Data are shown as mean ±95% CI. Repeated measures ANOVA from baseline and study-end, denoted PGLM. Values at four weeks missing for n = 1 in each group.
Figure 3Changes in microbiome-related metabolites in peripheral blood during rosuvastatin treatment. (a) Rosuvastatin increase precursors of the microbiota dependent metabolite trimethylamine (TMA) in plasma. (b) TMA is metabolized to the pro-atherogenic metabolite trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) in the liver, which is not affected by rosuvastatin. (c) Participants with the least favorable treatment response (defined as below median change in high density to low density lipoprotein (HDL/LDL) ratio) show a marked increase in TMAO levels compared to those with a more favorable response. All randomized participants with serum samples available were included in the analysis, irrespective of the availability of microbiome data. TMAO values missing for n = 2 in panel C. Data shown as mean ±95% CI. Repeated measures ANOVA, denoted PGLM.