Gut microbiota - a key regulator of aging-associated atrial fibrillation?

Changes in the composition of the gut microbiota have been linked to various disorders including obesity, hypertension, and chronic kidney disease. Interestingly, aging together with the abovementioned conditions are risk factors for atrial fibrillation. The gut microbiota interacts with the host through various pathways including those that affect cardiac metabolism, inflammatory responses, and fibrogenesis. The paper by Zhang et al. in this issue of Cardiovascular Research reveals that age-associated gut microbiota dysbiosis causes elevated lipopolysaccharide levels and impaired glucose tolerance, which in turn promotes AF development. In this commentary, we will briefly discuss potential gut microbiota-derived signals that may underlie age-dependent AF development.