Lipids in Health and Disease (Mar 2024)

Uric acid, high density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and their ratio are related to microbial enterotypes and serum metabolites in females with a blood stasis constitution

  • Chen Sun,
  • Yanmin Liu,
  • Wei Huang,
  • Yang Chen,
  • Yusheng Deng,
  • Jiamin Yuan,
  • Lili Deng,
  • Ning Xu,
  • Xiaoxiao Shang,
  • Chuyang Wang,
  • Zhimin Yang,
  • Li Huang,
  • Qinwei Qiu

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12944-024-02066-4
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 23, no. 1
pp. 1 – 11

Abstract

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Abstract Background Blood stasis constitution in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is believed to render individuals more susceptible to metabolic diseases. However, the biological underpinnings of this constitutional imbalance remain unclear. Methods This study explored the association between blood stasis constitution, serum metabolic markers including uric acid (UA), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC), their ratio (UHR), serum metabolites, and gut microbiota. Clinical data, fecal and serum samples were acquired from 24 individuals with a blood stasis constitution and 80 individuals with a balanced constitution among healthy individuals from Guangdong. Gut microbiota composition analysis and serum metabolomics analysis were performed. Results Females with a blood stasis constitution had higher UA levels, lower HDLC levels, and higher UHR in serum, suggesting a higher risk of metabolic abnormalities. Analysis of the gut microbiome revealed two distinct enterotypes dominated by Bacteroides or Prevotella. Intriguingly, blood stasis subjects were disproportionately clustered within the Bacteroides-rich enterotype. Metabolomic analysis identified subtle differences between the groups, including lower phenylalanine and higher trimethylaminoacetone levels in the blood stasis. Several differential metabolites displayed correlations with HDLC, UA, or UHR, unveiling potential new markers of metabolic dysregulation. Conclusions These findings elucidate the intricate interplay between host constitution, gut microbiota, and serum metabolites. The concept of blood stasis offers a unique perspective to identify subtle alterations in microbiome composition and metabolic pathways, potentially signaling underlying metabolic vulnerability, even in the presence of ostensibly healthy profiles. Continued investigation of this TCM principle may reveal critical insights into the early biological processes that foreshadow metabolic deterioration.

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