2. Academic Validation
  3. Fecal microbiota transplantation in mice exerts a protective effect against doxorubicin-induced cardiac toxicity by regulating Nrf2-mediated cardiac mitochondrial fission and fusion

Fecal microbiota transplantation in mice exerts a protective effect against doxorubicin-induced cardiac toxicity by regulating Nrf2-mediated cardiac mitochondrial fission and fusion

  • Antioxid Redox Signal. 2023 Sep 27. doi: 10.1089/ars.2023.0355.
Jiedong Zhou 1,  Jinjin Hao 2,  Zuoquan Zhong 3,  Juntao Yang 4,  Tingting Lv 5,  Bingjie Zhao 6,  Hui Lin 7,  Jufang Chi 8,  Hangyuan Guo 9
Affiliations

Affiliations

  • 1 Shaoxing University, 66326, School of Medicine, Shaoxing, Zhejiang, China; [email protected].
  • 2 Zhejiang University, 12377, School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; [email protected].
  • 3 Shaoxing People's Hospital, 74682, Department of Cardiology, Shaoxing, Zhejiang, China; [email protected].
  • 4 Shaoxing University, 66326, Shaoxing, Zhejiang, China; [email protected].
  • 5 Shaoxing University, 66326, Shaoxing, Zhejiang, China; [email protected].
  • 6 Shaoxing University, 66326, Shaoxing, Zhejiang, China; [email protected].
  • 7 Ningbo Medical Centre Lihuili Hospital, 74634, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China; [email protected].
  • 8 Zhuji People's Hospital of Zhejiang Province, 74784, Shaoxing, Zhejiang, China; [email protected].
  • 9 Shaoxing University, 66326, School of Medicine, Shaoxing, Zhejiang, China; [email protected].
PMID: 37756370 DOI: 10.1089/ars.2023.0355
Abstract

Aims: The relationship between gut microbiota and cardiovascular system has been increasingly clarified. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), used to improve gut microbiota, has been applied clinically for disease treatment and has great potential in combatting doxorubicin (DOX)-induced cardiotoxicity. However, the application of FMT in the cardiovascular field and its molecular mechanisms are poorly understood.

Results: During DOX-induced stress, FMT alters the gut microbiota and serum metabolites, leading to a reduction in cardiac injury. Correlation analysis indicated a close association between serum metabolite Indole-3-propionic acid (IPA) and cardiac function. FMT and IPA achieves this by facilitating the translocation of Nfe2l2 (Nrf2) from the cytoplasm to the nucleus, thereby activating the expression of antioxidant molecules, reducing ROS production, and inhibiting excessive mitochondrial fission. Consequently, mitochondrial function is preserved, leading to the mitigation of cardiac injury under DOX-induced stress.

Innovation: FMT has the ability to modify the composition of the gut microbiota, providing not only protection to the intestinal mucosa but also influencing the generation of serum metabolites and regulating the Nrf2 gene to modulate the balance of cardiac mitochondrial fission and fusion. This study comprehensively demonstrates the efficacy of FMT in countering DOX-induced myocardial damage and elucidates the pathways linking the microbiota and the heart.

Conclusion: FMT alters the gut microbiota and serum metabolites of recipient mice, promoting nuclear translocation of Nrf2 and subsequent activation of downstream antioxidant molecule expression, while inhibiting excessive mitochondrial fission to preserve cardiac integrity. Correlation analysis highlights IPA as a key contributor among differentially regulated metabolites.

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