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An Improved Technique for Trimethylamine Detection in Animal-Derived Medicine by Headspace Gas Chromatography-Tandem Quadrupole Mass Spectrometry
Published on: March 10, 2023
Transient trimethylaminuria related to menstruation
Makiko Shimizu1, John R Cashman, Hiroshi Yamazaki
1Laboratory of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, Showa Pharmaceutical University, Machida, Tokyo 194-8543, Japan. shimizu@ac.shoyaku.ac.jp
BMC Medical Genetics
|January 30, 2007
Summary
Menstruation can temporarily reduce the body's ability to process trimethylamine, potentially causing fish odor syndrome (trimethylaminuria), especially in women with specific genetic variants in the FMO3 enzyme.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Human Genetics
- Metabolic Disorders
Background:
- Trimethylaminuria, or fish odor syndrome, is a metabolic disorder characterized by malodor due to excessive trimethylamine.
- Flavin-containing monooxygenase 3 (FMO3) is the primary enzyme responsible for metabolizing trimethylamine into trimethylamine N-oxide.
- This study investigates the potential role of menstruation in exacerbating trimethylaminuria.
Observation:
- FMO3 metabolic capacity was assessed by the urinary ratio of trimethylamine N-oxide to total trimethylamine.
- Case A, with inactive FMO3, showed consistently low metabolic capacity.
- Case B and healthy controls exhibited reduced FMO3 capacity during menstruation, with Case B showing a more pronounced decrease.
Findings:
- Menstruation significantly reduced FMO3 metabolic capacity, particularly in individuals with homozygous [Glu158Lys; Glu308Gly] FMO3 polymorphisms.
- Even individuals with normal FMO3 function experienced a decrease in metabolic capacity around menstruation.
- These findings suggest menstruation is a contributing factor to transient trimethylaminuria.
Implications:
- Menstrual cycle hormonal fluctuations may impact FMO3 enzyme activity.
- Understanding this link can aid in diagnosing and managing trimethylaminuria, especially in women.
- Further research into FMO3 regulation during the menstrual cycle is warranted.
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