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Trimethylamine‐ N ‐oxide (TMAO) response to animal source foods varies among healthy young men and is influenced by their gut microbiota composition: A randomized controlled trial
Author(s) -
Cho Clara E.,
Taesuwan Siraphat,
Malysheva Olga V.,
Bender Erica,
Tulchinsky Nathan F.,
Yan Jian,
Sutter Jessica L.,
Caudill Marie A.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
molecular nutrition and food research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.495
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1613-4133
pISSN - 1613-4125
DOI - 10.1002/mnfr.201600324
Subject(s) - trimethylamine n oxide , firmicutes , trimethylamine , gut flora , food science , microbiome , bacteroidetes , biology , metabolite , chemistry , zoology , bacteria , endocrinology , biochemistry , 16s ribosomal rna , bioinformatics , genetics
Scope Trimethylamine‐ N ‐oxide (TMAO), a metabolite linked to the gut microbiota, is associated with excess risk of heart disease. We hypothesized that (i) TMAO response to animal source foods would vary among healthy men and (ii) this response would be modified by their gut microbiome. Methods and results A crossover feeding trial in healthy young men ( n = 40) was conducted with meals containing TMAO (fish), its dietary precursors, choline (eggs) and carnitine (beef), and a fruit control. Fish yielded higher circulating and urinary concentrations of TMAO (46–62 times; p < 0.0001), trimethylamine (8–14 times; p < 0.0001), and dimethylamine (4‐6‐times; P<0.0001) than eggs, beef, or the fruit control. Circulating TMAO concentrations were increased within 15 min of fish consumption, suggesting that dietary TMAO can be absorbed without processing by gut microbes. Analysis of 16S rRNA genes indicated that high‐TMAO producers (≥20% increase in urinary TMAO in response to eggs and beef) had more Firmicutes than Bacteroidetes ( p = 0.04) and less gut microbiota diversity ( p = 0.03). Conclusion Consumption of fish yielded substantially greater increases in circulating TMAO than eggs or beef. The higher Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes enrichment among men exhibiting a greater response to dietary TMAO precursor intake indicates that TMAO production is a function of individual differences in the gut microbiome.