Regulatory Effect of Gut Microbes on Blood Pressure

Hypertension is an important global public health issue because of its high morbidity as well as the increased risk of other diseases. Recent studies have indicated that the development of hypertension is related to the dysbiosis of the gut microbiota in both animals and humans. In this review, we outline the interaction between gut microbiota and hypertension, including gut microbial changes in hypertension, the effect of microbial dysbiosis on blood pressure (BP), indicators of gut microbial dysbiosis in hypertension, and the microbial genera that affect BP at the taxonomic level. For example, increases in Lactobacillus, Roseburia, Coprococcus, Akkermansia, and Bifidobacterium are associated with reduced BP, while increases in Streptococcus, Blautia, and Prevotella are associated with elevated BP. Furthermore, we describe the potential mechanisms involved in the regulation between gut microbiota and hypertension. Finally, we summarize the commonly used treatments of hypertension that are based on gut microbes, including fecal microbiota transfer, probiotics and prebiotics, antibiotics, and dietary supplements. This review aims to find novel potential genera for improving hypertension and give a direction for future studies on gut microbiota in hypertension.