# Distinct Gut Microbiome Profiles Underlying Cardiometabolic Risk Phenotypes in Individuals with Obesity

**Authors:** Iveta Nedeva, Yavor Assyov, Veselka Duleva, Vera Karamfilova, Zdravko Kamenov, Julian Naydenov, Teodora Handjieva-Darlenska, Venelin Denchev, Alexander Kolevski, Victoria Pencheva, Vlayko Vodenicharov

PMC · DOI: 10.3390/nu18020353 · 2026-01-22

## TL;DR

This study found that specific gut bacteria are linked to heart and metabolic risks in obese individuals, suggesting potential microbial markers for these conditions.

## Contribution

The study identifies specific gut microbiome signatures associated with cardiometabolic risk phenotypes in obesity.

## Key findings

- Reduced Lachnospiraceae abundance is linked to metabolic syndrome.
- Lower Faecalibacterium abundance is associated with arterial hypertension.
- Increased Prevotella abundance correlates with dyslipidemia.

## Abstract

Background: Obesity-related cardiometabolic disorders have been linked to alterations in selected gut microbiome components, yet clinically relevant microbial signatures remain incompletely defined. Objectives: This study investigated associations between selected gut bacterial taxa and cardiometabolic risk phenotypes in individuals with obesity. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 100 adults with obesity were stratified according to metabolic syndrome status. Gut microbiome composition was assessed using targeted multiplex real-time PCR of functionally relevant bacterial taxa. Associations with anthropometric and cardiometabolic parameters were examined using correlation analysis, ROC curves, and multivariable logistic regression models. Results: Reduced relative abundance of Lachnospiraceae was associated with metabolic syndrome, lower Faecalibacterium abundance with arterial hypertension, and increased Prevotella abundance with dyslipidemia. ROC analyses identified cohort-specific discriminative thresholds with moderate accuracy. Conclusions: Selected taxon-specific gut microbiome signatures are associated with cardiometabolic risk phenotypes in obesity. These findings are exploratory and require validation in longitudinal and independent cohorts.

## Linked entities

- **Diseases:** metabolic syndrome (MONDO:0000816), dyslipidemia (MONDO:0002525), obesity (MONDO:0011122)
- **Species:** Lachnospiraceae (taxon 186803), Faecalibacterium (taxon 216851), Prevotella (taxon 838)

## Full-text entities

- **Diseases:** Obesity (MESH:D009765), cardiometabolic disorders (MESH:D024821), arterial hypertension (MESH:D000081029), dyslipidemia (MESH:D050171)
- **Species:** Prevotella (genus) [taxon 838], gut metagenome (species) [taxon 749906]

## Figures

6 figures with captions in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12845366/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12845366