Lactobacillus induced by irbesartan on spontaneously hypertensive rat contribute to its antihypertensive effect

Abstract

Objective: Hypertension is linked to gut dysbiosis. Here, the impact of the angiotensin receptor antagonist irbesartan on the gut microbiota of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) were investigated. In addition, we assessed their contribution to its antihypertensive effect. Methods: Eight-week-old Wistar–Kyoto (WKY) rats and SHR were administered irbesartan for 8 weeks. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) was performed from SHR treated with irbesartan or untreated SHR to recipient untreated SHR. The preventive effect of Lactobacillus on hypertension in SHR was evaluated. Blood pressure (BP) was calculated using a tail-sleeve sphygmomanometer. To better assess the composition of the gut microbiota, the V3–V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene was amplified while short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in feces were tested by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Results: Irbesartan restored gut dysbiosis, increased the abundance of Lactobacillus, and improved anti-inflammatory ability, antioxidative ability, intestinal integrity, and intestinal inflammation in SHR. The microbiota in SHR-treated irbesartan could reduce BP and improve antioxidative ability and gut integrity in SHR. Lactobacillus johnsonii (L. johnsonii) and Lactobacillus reuteri (L. reuteri) reduced BP, restored gut dysbiosis and improved anti-inflammatory ability, antioxidative ability, intestinal integrity in SHR. Most notably, irbesartan, L. johnsonii, and L. reuteri can significantly increase SCFA content in SHR feces. Conclusion: The current study demonstrated that irbesartan treatment ameliorated gut dysbiosis in SHR. Irbesartan induced alterations in gut microbiota, with increased prevalence of Lactobacillus.