Plasma endocannabinoidome and fecal microbiota interplay in people with HIV and subclinical coronary artery disease: Results from the Canadian HIV and Aging Cohort Study

Chronic HIV infection is associated with accelerated coronary artery disease (CAD) due to chronic inflammation. The expanded endocannabinoid system (eCBome) and gut microbiota modulate each other and are key regulators of cardiovascular functions and inflammation. We herein investigated the interplay between plasma eCBome mediators and gut microbiota in people with HIV (PWH) and/or subclinical CAD versus HIV-uninfected individuals. CAD was determined by coronary computed tomography (CT) angiography performed on all participants. Plasma eCBome mediator and fecal microbiota composition were assessed by tandem mass spectrometry and 16S rDNA sequencing, respectively. HIV infection was associated with perturbed plasma eCBome mediators characterized by an inverse relationship between anandamide and N-acyl-ethanolamines (NAEs) versus 2-AG and 2-monoacylglycerols (MAGs). Plasma triglyceride levels were positively associated with MAGs. Several fecal bacterial taxa were altered in HIV−CAD+ versus controls and correlated with plasma eCBome mediators. CAD-associated taxonomic alterations in fecal bacterial taxa were not found in PWH. [Display omitted] •HIV infection is associated with perturbed plasma endocannabinoidome mediators•Plasma triglycerides are associated with enhanced 2-monoacylglycerol (MAG) levels•N-acyl-ethanolamine and MAG inverse relation may predict subclinical CAD in PWH•CAD-associated taxonomic alterations in fecal bacterial taxa were not found in PWH Health sciences; Medicine; Medical specialty; Immunology; Cardiovascular medicine