Frank, K.* ; Markó, L.* ; Maehler, A.* ; Chakaroun, R.* ; Heinitz, S.* ; Schlögl, H. ; Sacher, J.* ; Steckhan, N.* ; Dechend, R.* ; Adams, N.* ; Andersen, M.K.* ; Glintborg, D.* ; Viehweger, M.* ; Bahr, L.S.* ; Forslund-Startceva, S.K.*
Sex hormone-dependent host-microbiome interactions and cardiovascular risk (XCVD): Design of a longitudinal multi-omics cohort study.
BMJ Open 15:e087982 (2025)
Introduction Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) present differently in women and men, influenced by host-microbiome interactions. The roles of sex hormones in CVD outcomes and gut microbiome in modifying these effects are poorly understood. The XCVD study examines gut microbiome mediation of sex hormone effects on CVD risk markers by observing transgender participants undergoing gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT), with findings expected to extrapolate to cisgender populations. Methods and analyses This observational, longitudinal cohort study includes baseline, 1- and 2-year follow-ups with transgender participants beginning GAHT. It involves comprehensive phenotyping and microbiome genotyping, integrating computational analyses of high-dimensional data. Microbial diversity will be assessed using gut, skin, and oral samples via 16S rRNA and shotgun metagenomic sequencing of gut samples. Blood measurements will include sex hormones, CVD risk markers, cardiometabolic parameters, cytokines, and immune cell counts. Hair samples will be analysed for cortisol. Participants will complete online questionnaires on physical activity, mental health, stress, quality of life, fatigue, sleep, pain, and gender dysphoria, tracking medication use and diet to control for confounders. Statistical analyses will integrate phenomic, lifestyle, and multi-omic data to model health effects, testing gut microbiome mediation of CVD risk as the endocrine environment shifts between that typical for cisgender men to women and vice versa. Ethics and dissemination The study adheres to Good Clinical Practice and the Declaration of Helsinki. The protocol was approved by the Charit & eacute; Ethical Committee (EA1/339/21). Signed informed consent will be obtained. Results will be published in peer-reviewed journals and conferences and shared as accessible summaries for participants, community groups, and the public, with participants able to view their data securely after public and patient involvement review for accessibility. Trial registration number The XCVD study was registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05334888) as 'Sex-differential host-microbiome CVD risk - a longitudinal cohort approach (XCVD)" on 4 April 2022. Data set link can be found at https://classic.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05334888.
Impact Factor
Scopus SNIP
Web of Science
Times Cited
Scopus
Cited By
Altmetric
Publikationstyp
Artikel: Journalartikel
Dokumenttyp
Wissenschaftlicher Artikel
Typ der Hochschulschrift
Herausgeber
Schlagwörter
Cardiovascular Disease; MICROBIOLOGY; Transgender Persons; MOLECULAR BIOLOGY; BIOTECHNOLOGY & BIOINFORMATICS; Nutrition; Transgender People; Health; Testosterone; Disease; Validation; Therapy; Events; Life; Men
Keywords plus
Sprache
englisch
Veröffentlichungsjahr
2025
Prepublished im Jahr
0
HGF-Berichtsjahr
2025
ISSN (print) / ISBN
2044-6055
e-ISSN
2044-6055
ISBN
Bandtitel
Konferenztitel
Konferzenzdatum
Konferenzort
Konferenzband
Quellenangaben
Band: 15,
Heft: 1,
Seiten: ,
Artikelnummer: e087982
Supplement: ,
Reihe
Verlag
BMJ Publishing Group
Verlagsort
British Med Assoc House, Tavistock Square, London Wc1h 9jr, England
Tag d. mündl. Prüfung
0000-00-00
Betreuer
Gutachter
Prüfer
Topic
Hochschule
Hochschulort
Fakultät
Veröffentlichungsdatum
0000-00-00
Anmeldedatum
0000-00-00
Anmelder/Inhaber
weitere Inhaber
Anmeldeland
Priorität
Begutachtungsstatus
Peer reviewed
Institut(e)
Helmholtz Institute for Metabolism, Obesity and Vascular Research (HI-MAG)
POF Topic(s)
30201 - Metabolic Health
Forschungsfeld(er)
Helmholtz Diabetes Center
PSP-Element(e)
G-506500-001
Förderungen
ECRC clinical study fund
Charite- Universitaetsmedizin Berlin
Copyright
Erfassungsdatum
2025-03-28