Altered gut microbial profiles in drug-treated rats with alcoholic heart disease

Introduction. Alcohol abuse can lead to significant cardiac injury, resulting in Alcoholic heart disease (AHD). The interplay between cardiac health and gut microbiota composition in the context of alcohol consumption is not well understood.Hypothesis. Shen Song Yang Xin (SSYX) capsule and amiodarone are common drugs used to treat alcoholic heart disease, but little is known about their microbial regulatory mechanisms in alcoholic heart disease.Aim. To investigate the effects of SSYX and amiodarone on cardiac injury and gut microbiota composition in a rat model of AHD induced by alcohol consumption.Methodology. We evaluated body weight, cardiac function, changes in gut morphology, and gut microbiota composition to assess the effects of SSYX and amiodarone on AHD.Results. Alcohol consumption significantly reduced body weight and aggravated cardiac fibrosis. However, SSYX attenuated fibrosis and improved cardiac function. SSYX also improved intestinal morphological changes caused by chronic alcoholism and activated the expression of ZO-1 and occludin, which are important in maintaining intestinal barrier function. The gut microbiota composition was altered in rats with AHD, with an increase in Actinobacteria abundance. Both SSYX and amiodarone affected the gut microbiota composition, and their effects were positively correlated. SSYX plays a protective role against heart injury caused by alcohol consumption. It improves cardiac function, intestinal morphological changes and gut microbiota composition.Conclusion. SSYX and amiodarone may have potential therapeutic options for AHD. Actinobacteria/Firmicutes ratio and the abundance of Christensenellaceae R7 group, norank_flachnospiraceae and Roseburia may serve as potential biomarkers for detecting alcoholic heart disease.