Multi-Omics Insights into Microbiome and Metabolite Signatures as Potential Biomarkers for Feline Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Gut microbial dysbiosis and metabolites are associated with cardiovascular disease. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is one of the most common feline cardiovascular diseases and can be a model for human HCM. Through multi-omics analysis, integrated analysis of the gut microbiome, metabolome, and disease can be performed to identify potential mechanistic links, diagnostic biomarkers, and potential therapeutic targets. In this study, 26 cats were enrolled. Metagenomics of fecal bacterial microbiota and Serum untargeted metabolomics was performed. Compared to healthy cats, those with HCM exhibited significant gut microbiota dysbiosis, including decreased abundances of <i>Campilobacterota</i>, <i>unclassified_k_norank_d_Bacteria</i>, <i>Blautia</i>, <i>Helicobacter</i>, and <i>Ruminococcus_torques_group</i>, while <i>Romboutsia</i> and <i>Lactococcus</i> were enriched in the HCM group. <i>Romboutsia</i> and <i>Lactococcus</i> were identified as characteristic genera in the HCM cat. Significant alterations were observed in energy metabolism pathways, phospholipids, nucleotide metabolism, deoxycorticosterone acetate, propionate, DOCA and several amino acids, which may serve as potential biomarkers for feline HCM. Correlation analysis showed <i>Blautia</i> was associated with serum norepinephrine levels; <i>Helicobacter</i> showed a significant positive correlation with acylcarnitines and amino acid metabolites; <i>Helicobacter</i> and <i>Romboutsia</i> were significantly negatively correlated with phospholipid metabolites. While <i>Ruminococcus_torques_group</i> was significantly negatively correlated with phospholipid metabolites. <i>Romboutsia </i>was significant positive correlation with serum phospholipid metabolites.<i> </i><i>Lactococcus</i> also showed a significant positive correlation with multiple lipid metabolites.