Thesis defense by Mohammed Mimouni

Presented by Mohammed MIMOUNI

September 27, 2024

Edited by Caroline DESMETZ

Mechanisms involved in the prevention of cardiac fibrosis by a low-salt diet in metabolic syndrome

Summary:

Metabolic syndrome, which is exacerbated by excessive fructose consumption, increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, particularly through cardiac fibrosis and diastolic dysfunction. Our research shows that a low-salt diet mitigates these effects, not only by lowering blood pressure, but also through complementary mechanisms.

To explore this topic in greater depth, our research investigates two mechanisms of this protective effect:
• Endothelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and cardiac fibrosis: We have shown that sodium restriction reduces EMT by 37% in the hearts of rats, and identified, for the first time, an extracellular matrix protein involved in this process, whose invalidation inhibits EMT.
• Role of the gut microbiota: A sodium-restricted diet significantly alters the microbial composition, identifying 21 species with potential cardioprotective roles.

This research demonstrates the benefits of a low-salt diet in preventing cardiac damage in metabolic syndrome and opens up new diagnostic and therapeutic prospects for this condition.