title: New aspects on the metabolic role of intestinal microbiota in the development of atherosclerosis.
abstract: Gut microbiota remains a very interesting, yet largely unexplored ecosystem inside the human organism. The importance of this ecosystem for the physiology and the pathophysiology of the organism is being slowly unraveled. Recent studies reveal a connection between intestinal microbiota and atherosclerosis development. It seems that alterations in the function and composition of this bacterial population lead through complex mechanisms to a high risk for atherosclerosis. Although these mechanisms remain largely unknown, published studies show that microbiota can lead to atherosclerosis either by augmenting known risk factors or via other, more "direct" mechanisms. This review article summarizes the available literature regarding this matter.
authors: Laboratory of Pharmacology, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece.
authors: Ioannis
authors: I
authors: Drosos
authors: Laboratory of Pharmacology, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece. Electronic address: atavrid@med.duth.gr.
authors: Anna
authors: A
authors: Tavridou
authors: Laboratory of Pharmacology, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece.
authors: George
authors: G
authors: Kolios
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000382:microbiology; D001622:Betaine / Q000378:metabolism; D002331:Carnitine / Q000378:metabolism; D002794:Choline / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism*; D007422:Intestines / Q000382:microbiology*; D008744:Methylamines / Q000378:metabolism; D064307:Microbiota / Q000502:physiology*; D010713:Phosphatidylcholines / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D008744:Methylamines; D010713:Phosphatidylcholines; D001622:Betaine; C005855:trimethyloxamine; D002794:Choline; D002331:Carnitine
keywords: Atherosclerosis; Coronary artery disease; Gut; Intestinal; Microbiota