International Journal of Molecular Sciences · 11 authors, 12 centres
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This cross-sectional study analyzed gut microbiota via 16S rRNA sequencing in 186 patients with chronic diseases stratified by aortic arch calcification score. The high AoAC group exhibited significantly reduced microbial diversity and distinct community composition compared to the low AoAC group, supporting an association between gut dysbiosis and vascular calcification severity.
This cross-sectional study enrolled 186 patients with chronic diseases to compare gut microbiota composition across three groups defined by aortic arch calcification (AoAC) score on chest radiographs. Fecal samples were analyzed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and microbial function was examined via PICRUSt2. The high AoAC group (>6) showed significantly lower alpha diversity (Chao1 and Shannon indices) and a higher microbial dysbiosis index compared to the low AoAC group (≤3). Beta diversity was significantly different among the three groups (p=0.041, weighted UniFrac PCoA). The low AoAC group had increased abundances of butyrate-producing genera including Agathobacter and Oscillibacter, while the high AoAC group had increased relative abundance of class Bacilli. Limitations include the cross-sectional design precluding causal inference, use of fecal samples that may not reflect intestinal microbiota at all sites, and the absence of a healthy control group. The findings support an association between gut dysbiosis and the severity of AoAC in chronic disease patients.
