Trimethylamine-N-Oxide (TMAO) as a Rising-Star Metabolite: Implications for Human Health.
Eugenio Caradonna1, Federico Abate2, Elisabetta Schiano3
1Integrated Laboratory Medicine Services, Centro Diagnostico Italiano S.p.A., 20011 Milan, Italy.
Metabolites
|April 25, 2025
Summary
Trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) links gut microbes, diet, and disease. Targeting TMAO offers new strategies for preventing cardiovascular and neurodegenerative disorders by modulating gut microbiota and metabolism.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Metabolic Medicine
- Gut Microbiome Research
Background:
- The intestinal microbiota comprises trillions of microorganisms crucial for host health.
- Trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) is a key biomarker linking diet, gut microbiota, and host metabolism to diseases.
- TMAO is implicated in various pathological conditions, including cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the biosynthesis, physiological functions, and clinical significance of TMAO.
- To elucidate TMAO's mechanistic contributions to cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases.
- To highlight strategies for targeting TMAO to mitigate its pathological effects.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive literature review of TMAO biosynthesis and function.
- Analysis of TMAO's role in disease pathogenesis.
- Exploration of therapeutic strategies targeting TMAO.
Main Results:
- TMAO is synthesized from dietary precursors via microbial metabolism.
- TMAO contributes to endothelial dysfunction, inflammation (NLRP3 inflammasome), and cholesterol metabolism disruption.
- These pathways accelerate atherosclerosis and disease progression.
Conclusions:
- TMAO is a critical mediator between the gut microbiome, diet, and host health.
- Targeting TMAO through dietary, nutraceutical, or microbiota-modulating interventions shows therapeutic potential.
- Modulating TMAO offers a transformative approach for managing related disorders.
Keywords:
atherosclerosiscardiovascular diseasesendothelial dysfunctiongut microbiotaneurodegenerative diseasestrimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO)More Related Videos
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