Heart Disease: Gut Bacteria Treatment Target Found
- Cleveland Clinic researchers have identified a key interaction between gut bacteria and heart cells that could pave the way for new treatments for cardiovascular disease and heart failure.
- Stanley Hazen, discovered that PAG interacts with beta-2 adrenergic receptors on heart cells, influencing the force of heart muscle contractions.
- Hazen, chair of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Sciences at the Cleveland Clinic's Lerner Research Institute, noted that elevated levels of PAG have previously been linked to a higher risk...
Uncover a groundbreaking revelation: Cleveland Clinic researchers pinpoint how gut bacteria, specifically through the compound PAG, directly impacts heart cells and contributes too heart failure.This research opens doors to novel heart disease treatments. Learn how PAG interacts with beta-2 adrenergic receptors, influencing heart muscle contractions, and why this is a game-changer in cardiovascular health.Dr.Hazen’s team is on the verge of developing targeted therapies that block the harmful effects of PAG. This study showcases the crucial role of the gut microbiome. News Directory 3 brings you the latest advancements.Discover what’s next in the fight against heart disease.
Gut Bacteria’s Role in Heart Disease Uncovered
updated June 25, 2025
Cleveland Clinic researchers have identified a key interaction between gut bacteria and heart cells that could pave the way for new treatments for cardiovascular disease and heart failure. The study, published in nature Communications, reveals how phenylacetylglutamine (PAG), a waste product produced by gut bacteria, affects heart function.
The research team, led by Dr. Stanley Hazen, discovered that PAG interacts with beta-2 adrenergic receptors on heart cells, influencing the force of heart muscle contractions. This interaction is believed to contribute to heart failure. By mutating specific parts of the beta-2 adrenergic receptor in preclinical models, the researchers prevented PAG from negatively impacting the receptor’s function.
Dr. Hazen, chair of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Sciences at the Cleveland Clinic’s Lerner Research Institute, noted that elevated levels of PAG have previously been linked to a higher risk of heart failure and worse patient outcomes. He added, “The new findings bring us one step closer to therapeutically targeting this pathway to develop an improved treatment for the prevention of heart failure.” This research highlights the significant role of gut bacteria in cardiovascular health and the potential for new therapies targeting the gut microbiome.
Beta-blockers, common medications for heart failure and high blood pressure, target the body’s “fight-or-flight” response. Dr. Sathyamangla Prasad, a contributing author, explained that while this response is crucial for survival, repeated activation can damage the heart. beta-blockers work by blocking adrenaline from binding to beta-2 adrenergic receptors, slowing heart rate and reducing strain.
However, Dr. hazen’s team found that PAG interacts with a different site on the beta-2 adrenergic receptor. He theorizes that this separate site could be targeted to block the harmful effects of PAG while allowing adrenaline to function normally. “A beta-blocker that is more targeted in blocking the harmful signaling from the adrenergic receptors, but allowing the healthy signals through, would be an entirely new approach for treating or preventing cardiovascular disease risk,” Dr. hazen said.
What’s next
The researchers are now focused on developing drugs that specifically target the PAG pathway and its interaction with adrenergic receptors. This could lead to more effective and nuanced treatments for cardiovascular disease, improving the quality of life for patients who rely on beta-blockers.