Albert Einstein College of Medicine researchers have found evidence that certain gut bacteria may influence the risk that men—including men living with HIV (LWH)—will develop atherosclerosis, the buildup of plaque in artery walls that can narrow and harden arteries. The findings were published May 4 in eBioMedicine.

Zheng Wang, Ph.D., David Hanna, Ph.D., and colleagues analyzed stool samples, blood samples, and carotid artery imaging data from 359 men participating in the NIH-funded MACS-WIHS Combined Cohort Study, a long-standing study of people with and without HIV. The men LWH were more likely to develop atherosclerosis, even when their virus was well controlled. By examining the gut microbiome, together with hundreds of metabolites (blood molecules linked to metabolism) and inflammatory proteins, the researchers identified three bacterial species linked to atherosclerosis risk. Adlercreutzia equolifaciens and Eubacterium sp3131 were associated with a lower likelihood of plaque in the carotid arteries, a marker of cardiovascular disease risk, while Coprococcus sp13142 was associated with a higher likelihood. These associations were similar in men LWH and men not LWH.

The potentially protective bacteria were also associated with higher levels of HDL (“good”) cholesterol, lower blood pressure, beneficial metabolites with anti-inflammatory or antioxidant properties, and lower levels of inflammatory proteins. These findings are consistent with those reported by Dr. Wang and colleagues three years ago in a study involving women LWH. Together, the studies suggest that certain gut bacteria may influence heart health and raise the possibility that therapies targeting specific bacterial species could help prevent or slow the development of cardiovascular disease.

Dr. Wang, lead author of the study, is a research assistant professor of epidemiology & population health at Einstein. Dr. Hanna, the study’s senior author, is a research associate professor of epidemiology & population health at Einstein.