The role of the gut microbiota and its metabolite-sensing receptors in blood pressure regulation

Over 50% of individuals with hypertension fail to have their blood pressure under recommended target levels, highlighting the need for new treatment options. In my Thesis, I explored the role of gut bacteria and their by-product signalling in regulating blood pressure. I also investigated what factors influence the gut bacteria and how the host senses and responds to short-chain fatty acids, beneficial by-products produced by the gut bacteria. My findings confirm that gut bacteria play a crucial role in hypertension and suggest that targeting the receptors responsible for sensing short-chain fatty acids could be a promising therapeutic approach.