Microbiota and Myopericarditis: The New Frontier in the Car-Diological Field to Prevent or Treat Inflammatory Cardiomyo-Pathies in COVID-19 Outbreak

Coffee and Microbiota: A Narrative Review

Coffee is one of the most widely consumed beverages in the world, which has important repercussions on the health of the individual, mainly because of certain compounds it contains. Coffee consumption exerts significant influences on the entire body, including the gastrointestinal tract, where a central role is played by the gut microbiota. Dysbiosis in the gut microbiota is implicated in the occurrence of numerous diseases, and knowledge of the microbiota has proven to be of fundamental importance for the development of new therapeutic strategies. In this narrative review, we thoroughly investigated the link between coffee consumption and its effects on the gut microbiota and the ensuing consequences on human health. We have selected the most significant articles published on this very interesting link, with the aim of elucidating the latest evidence about the relationship between coffee consumption, its repercussions on the composition of the gut microbiota, and human health. Based on the various studies carried out in both humans and animal models, it has emerged that coffee consumption is associated with changes in the gut microbiota, although further research is needed to understand more about this link and the repercussions for the whole organism.

The role of SARS-COV-2 infection in promoting abnormal immune response and sepsis: A comparison between SARS-COV-2-related sepsis and sepsis from other causes

BACKGROUND

COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2 virus is characterized by respiratory compromise and immune system involvement, even leading to serious disorders, such as cytokine storm.

METHODS

We then conducted a literature review on the topic of sepsis and covid-19, and in parallel conducted an experimental study on the histological finding of patients who died from SARS-Covid 19 infection and a control group.

RESULTS

Sepsis associated with covid-19 infection has some similarities and differences from that from other causes.

CONCLUSION

In this paper the complex interplay between the 2 disorders was discussed, focusing on the similarities and on the effect that one could have on the other. A preliminary experimental section that demonstrates the multisystemic involvement in subjects who die from SARS-CoV-2 is also proposed.

Revitalizing myocarditis treatment through gut microbiota modulation: unveiling a promising therapeutic avenue

Numerous studies have demonstrated that gut microbiota plays an important role in the development and treatment of different cardiovascular diseases, including hypertension, heart failure, myocardial infarction, arrhythmia, and atherosclerosis. Furthermore, evidence from recent studies has shown that gut microbiota contributes to the development of myocarditis. Myocarditis is an inflammatory disease that often results in myocardial damage. Myocarditis is a common cause of sudden cardiac death in young adults. The incidence of myocarditis and its associated dilated cardiomyopathy has been increasing yearly. Myocarditis has gained significant attention on social media due to its association with both COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccinations. However, the current therapeutic options for myocarditis are limited. In addition, little is known about the potential therapeutic targets of myocarditis. In this study, we review (1) the evidence on the gut-heart axis, (2) the crosslink between gut microbiota and the immune system, (3) the association between myocarditis and the immune system, (4) the impact of gut microbiota and its metabolites on myocarditis, (5) current strategies for modulating gut microbiota, (6) challenges and future directions for targeted gut microbiota in the treatment of myocarditis. The approach of targeting the gut microbiota in myocarditis is still in its infancy, and this is the study to explore the gut microbiota-immune system-myocarditis axis. Our findings are expected to pave the way for the use of gut microbiota as a potential therapeutic target in the treatment of myocarditis.

Microbiota Metabolism Failure as a Risk Factor for Postoperative Complications after Aortic Prosthetics

Postoperative complications in cardiovascular surgery remain an important unresolved problem, in particular in patients with aortic aneurysm. The role of the altered microbiota in such patients is of great interest. The aim of this pilot study was to determine whether the development of postoperative complications in patients with aortic aneurysm is related with initial or acquired disorders of microbiota metabolism by monitoring the level of some aromatic microbial metabolites (AMMs) circulating in the blood before the surgery and in the early postoperative period. The study comprised patients with aortic aneurysm (n = 79), including patients without complications (n = 36) and patients with all types of complications (n = 43). The serum samples from the patients were collected before and 6 h after the end of the surgery. The most significant results were obtained for the sum of three sepsis-associated AMMs. This level was higher before the surgery in comparison with that of healthy volunteers (n = 48), p < 0.001, and it was also higher in the early postoperative period in patients with all types of complications compared to those without complications, p = 0.001; the area under the ROC curve, the cut-off value, and the odds ratio were 0.7; 2.9 µmol/L, and 5.5, respectively. Impaired microbiota metabolism is important in the development of complications after complex reconstructive aortic surgery, which is the basis for the search for a new prevention strategy.

The Impact of Smoking on Microbiota: A Narrative Review

Cigarette smoke is a classic risk factor for many diseases. The microbiota has been recently indicated as a new, major player in human health. Its deregulation-dysbiosis-is considered a new risk factor for several illnesses. Some studies highlight a cross-interaction between these two risk factors-smoke and dysbiosis-that may explain the pathogenesis of some diseases. We searched the keywords "smoking OR smoke AND microbiota" in the title of articles on PubMed®, UptoDate®, and Cochrane®. We included articles published in English over the last 25 years. We collected approximately 70 articles, grouped into four topics: oral cavity, airways, gut, and other organs. Smoke may impair microbiota homeostasis through the same harmful mechanisms exerted on the host cells. Surprisingly, dysbiosis and its consequences affect not only those organs that are in direct contact with the smoke, such as the oral cavity or the airways, but also involve distant organs, such as the gut, heart, vessels, and genitourinary tract. These observations yield a deeper insight into the mechanisms implicated in the pathogenesis of smoke-related diseases, suggesting a role of dysbiosis. We speculate that modulation of the microbiota may help prevent and treat some of these illnesses.

Gut Microbiota, LADA, and Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus: An Evolving Relationship

There is much evidence confirming the crucial role played by the gut microbiota in modulating the immune system in the onset of autoimmune diseases. In this article, we focus on the relationship between alterations in the microbiome and the onset of diabetes mellitus type 1 and LADA, in light of the latest evidence. We will then look at both how the role of the gut microbiota appears to be increasingly crucial in the pathogenesis of these disorders and how this aspect may be instrumental in the development of new potential therapeutic strategies that modulate the gut microbiota, such as probiotics, prebiotics, and fecal microbiota transplantation.

Potential Immunologic and Integrative Methods to Enhance Vaccine Safety

Vaccine safety is measured by the disease protection it confers compared to the harm it may cause; both factors and their relative numbers have been the subject of disagreement. Cross-reactive attack of analogous self-antigens modified by dietary and microbiome factors is one of the poorly explored likely causes of harm. Screening for that and other risk factors might point out those most likely to develop severe vaccine reactions. Cooperation from those with opinions for and against vaccination in data gathering and vetting will lead to greater safety. Screening should include an integrative medical perspective regarding diet, microbiome, leaky gut, and other antigen sources. It might include emerging electronic technology or integrative energetic techniques vetted ultimately by cross-reactive lymphocyte testing or genetic evaluation. The knowledge gained from evaluating those with reactions could enhance the screening process and, since similar antigenic stimuli and reactions are involved, help long COVID sufferers. Centers for early identification and rescue from vaccine reactions could lower morbidity and mortality, and increase the percentage of people choosing to be vaccinated. Additional platforms for boosting; using lower dosage; other routes of administration, such as intranasal or intradermal needles; and possibly different antigens could make it easier to vaccinate globally to address the new variants of viruses rapidly arising.

Editorial of Special Issue "Pharmacomicrobiomics in Non-Communicable Disease"

The human superorganism, also known as the human holobiont, is a complex organism made up of host body as well as the bacteria, archaea, viruses, and fungi that live inside it along with their genes [...].

Associations between the gut microbiome, gut microbiology and heart failure: Current understanding and future directions

The role of the gut microbiome in pathophysiology, prognostication and clinical management of heart failure (HF) patients is of great clinical and research interest. Both preclinical and clinical studies have shown promising results, and the gut microbiome has been implicated in other cardiovascular conditions that are risk factors for HF. There is an increasing interest in the use of biological compounds produced as biomarkers for prognostication as well as exploration of therapeutic options targeting the various markers and pathways from the gut microbiome that are implicated in HF. However, study variations exist, and targeted research for individual putative biomarkers is necessary. There is also limited evidence pertaining to decompensated HF in particular. In this review, we synthesize current understandings around pathophysiology, prognostication and clinical management of heart failure (HF) patients, and also provide an outline of potential areas of future research and scientific advances.

COVID-19-Associated Myocarditis: An Evolving Concern in Cardiology and Beyond

Simple Summary

Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) affects many organs in the body, including the heart. One complication of particular concern is inflammation of the heart muscle, called myocarditis. This paper presents updated research data on COVID-19-associated myocarditis. Specifically, we review the incidence, potential mechanisms, blood and imaging tests that can be used to detect the disease. We emphasize that, in contrast with early reports, recent data suggest that myocarditis in the setting of COVID-19 is relatively uncommon, yet infected individuals are at a substantially increased risk for poor outcomes. It is important to continue research in this area.

Abstract

The direct and indirect adverse effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection on the cardiovascular system, including myocarditis, are of paramount importance. These not only affect the disease course but also determine clinical outcomes and recovery. In this review, the authors aimed at providing an update on the incidence of Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19)-associated myocarditis. Our knowledge and experience relevant to this area continues to evolve rapidly since the beginning of the pandemic. It is crucial for the scientific and medical community to stay abreast of current information. Contrasting early reports, recent data suggest that the overall incidence of SARS-CoV-2-associated myocarditis is relatively low, yet infected individuals are at a substantially increased risk. Therefore, understanding the pathophysiology and diagnostic evaluation, including the use of serum biomarkers and imaging modalities, remain important. This review aims to summarize the most recent data in these areas as they relate to COVID-19-associated myocarditis. Given its increasing relevance, a brief update is included on the proposed mechanisms of myocarditis in COVID-19 vaccine recipients.

Gut Microbiota as Early Predictor of Infectious Complications before Cardiac Surgery: A Prospective Pilot Study

Cardiac surgery remains a field of medicine with a high percentage of postoperative complications, including infectious ones. Modern data indicate a close relationship of infectious disorders with pathological changes in the composition of the gut microbiome; however, the extent of such changes in cardiac surgery patients is not fully clarified. In this prospective, observational, single center, pilot study, 72 patients were included, 12 among them with the infectious complications. We analyzed the features of the fecal microbiota before and in the early postoperative period, as one of the markers for predicting the occurrence of bacterial infection. We also discovered the significant change in microbial composition in the group of patients with infectious complications compared to the non-infectious group before and after cardiac surgery, despite the intra-individual variation in composition of gut microbiome. Our study demonstrated that the group of patients that had a bacterial infection in the early postoperative period already had an altered microbial composition even before the surgery. Further studies will evaluate the clinical significance of the identified proportions of individual taxa of the intestinal microbiota and consider the microbiota as a novel target for reducing the risk of infectious complications.