Undiscovered Gut Mechanism Influences Heart Plaque, Research from San Diego Reveals

Buzzline

Scientists from the University of California, San Diego have identified an unexpected connection between sleep apnea and cardiovascular issues, originating from the gastrointestinal tract. By examining mice genetically predisposed to heart problems alongside similar mice that lack a bile acid receptor known as FXR, the researchers observed that those without FXR exhibited considerably less plaque accumulation in the aorta and aortic arch. Additionally, conditions mimicking sleep apnea led to minor disturbances in the gut microbiome in the absence of FXR. This research will be further presented at ASM Microbe 2026, paving the way for future human trials and potential probiotic interventions. Disclosure: This video contains stock footage and content created or enhanced using Ai -assisted tools. ai-generated

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00:00Scientists found a hidden heart disease trigger for sleep apnea, and it sits in the gut.

00:05Researchers at the University of California, San Diego, wanted to know why it raises cardiovascular

00:11risk, so they studied two groups of genetically modified mice.

00:15The first group were APOE knockouts, genetically prone to heart disease.

00:20The second group were APOE and FXR knockouts.

00:24Those animals also lacked a bile acid receptor called FXEAR, the Farnasoid X receptor.

00:30Both groups were exposed to either normal sleeping conditions or conditions mimicking sleep apnea.

00:36The team analyzed fecal samples to track gut microbes.

00:40They also measured arterial plaque buildup.

00:43Mice lacking the FXR receptor developed significantly less plaque in the aorta and aortic arch.

00:50Plaque still remained in the pulmonary artery.

00:52And when FXR was absent, sleep apnea-like conditions caused smaller disruptions to the gut microbiome.

00:59Low oxygen from sleep apnea alters bile acids, the liver-produced compounds that help digest fats.

01:06Gut microbes modify those bile acids.

01:09The modified bile acids then signal through FXR, influencing how atherosclerosis develops.

01:15When the receptor was removed, the development of arterial plaques dropped significantly.

01:20Next, researchers plan to examine human datasets and explore beneficial microbes as probiotics.

01:28Presented at ASM Microbe 2026

01:31Disclosure

01:32This video contains stock footage and content created or enhanced using AI.

01:38AssistedTools.ai generated

01:39Disclosure

01:39I did.

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