Here we performed a metagenome-wide association study (MWAS) on stools from 218 individuals with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ACVD) and 187 healthy controls.. The gut microbiome in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease

The gut microbiota has been linked to cardiovascular diseases, most notably through the production of trimethylamine and its hepatic conversion to the proatherogenic metabolite, trimethylamine-N-oxide. However, the composition and functional capacity of the gut microbiome in relation to cardiovascular diseases have not been systematically examined. Here we perform a metagenome-wide association study on stools from 218 individuals with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ACVD) and 187 healthy controls. The ACVD gut microbiome deviates from the healthy status by increased abundance of Enterobacteriaceae and Streptococcus spp. and, functionally, in the potential for metabolism or transport of several molecules important for cardiovascular health. We further identify common themes by comparison with gut microbiome data associated with other cardiometabolic diseases (obesity and type 2 diabetes), liver cirrhosis, and an autoimmune disease, rheumatoid arthritis. Our data represent a comprehensive resource for further investigations on the role of the gut microbiome in promoting or preventing ACVD as well as other related diseases.