Researchers at Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine have discovered a promising method to slow heart failure progression in mice by feeding them a diet rich in soybean protein β-conglycinin (β-CG). The study found that β-CG increased the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in the intestine, which play a role in protecting the heart. These findings suggest a potential dietary approach to heart health and could lead to new ways to treat heart disease through diet and gut health.
The researchers fed mice prone to heart failure a diet enriched with β-CG and observed benefits to heart health linked to its impact on gut bacteria. The study revealed that the soybean protein rich diet increased the production of SCFAs, including acetic acid, butyric acid, and propionic acid, which are known for their anti-inflammatory properties.
The analysis of bacteria in the gut identified an increase in three types of SCFA-producing bacteria, as well as concentrations of these beneficial compounds. The findings suggest that β-CG helps prevent heart damage by promoting the growth of SCFA-producing bacteria in the intestine.
According to Dr. Nozomi Furukawa, the researchers’ findings indicate that functional soy components have a positive impact on cardiovascular health. The study’s results suggest that β-CG intake increases major SCFAs and their producing bacteria as a change in the gut microbiota, which may inhibit the progression of heart failure.
The role of gut microbiota is crucial for β-CG’s heart-protective action, as supported by the researchers’ use of antibiotics to reduce the population of these microbes. The administration of sodium propionate, one of the SCFAs, also had similar effects to feeding the mice β-CG, reinforcing the idea that SCFAs are a key part in reducing heart damage.
The study’s findings have implications for humans, suggesting that similar mechanisms may help treat heart failure. β-CG or its derivatives could potentially be developed into therapeutic agents that help prevent or slow the progression of heart failure, offering a more natural solution to a major health problem. However, further research is needed to confirm these findings and explore the detailed molecular mechanism of β-CG’s effects on short-chain fatty acids.
Overall, the researchers’ discovery highlights the connection between diet and gut health in maintaining cardiovascular well-being. With heart failure being one of the leading causes of death worldwide, these findings could have a lasting impact on how we maintain a healthy heart.
Source: https://scitechdaily.com/study-eating-this-protein-could-slow-the-progression-of-heart-failure