Cited by 563Gut microbiota and healthNutritional Studies and DietAlcohol Consumption and Health Effects

Gut microbe-generated metabolite trimethylamine-N-oxide as cardiovascular risk biomarker: a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis

Schiattarella, Gabriele Giacomo, Sannino, Anna, Toscano, Evelina, Giugliano, Giuseppe, Gargiulo, Giuseppe, Franzone, Anna, Trimarco, Bruno, Esposito, Giovanni +1 more·2017·European Heart Journal

Abstract

AIMS: Gut microbiota-derived metabolite trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) is emerging as a new potentially important cause of increased cardiovascular risk. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to systematically estimate and quantify the association between TMAO plasma levels, mortality, and major adverse cardio and cerebrovascular events (MACCE). METHODS AND RESULTS: MEDLINE, ISI Web of Science, and SCOPUS databases were searched for ad hoc studies published up to April 2017. Associations between TMAO plasma levels, all-cause mortality (primary outcome) and MACCE (secondary outcome) were systematically addressed. A total of 17 clinical studies were included in the analytic synthesis, enrolling 26 167 subjects. The mean follow-up in our study population was 4.3 ± 1.5 years. High TMAO plasma levels were associated with increased incidence of all-cause mortality [14 studies for 16 cohorts enrolling 15 662 subjects, hazard ratio (HR): 1.91; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.40-2.61, P < 0.0001, I2 = 94%] and MACCE (5 studies for 6 cohorts enrolling 13 944 subjects, HR: 1.67, 95% CI: 1.33-2.11, P < 0.00001, I2 = 46%,). Dose-response meta-analysis revealed that the relative risk (RR) for all-cause mortality increased by 7.6% per each 10 μmol/L increment of TMAO [summary RR: 1.07, 95% CI (1.04-1.11), P < 0.0001; based on seven studies]. Association of TMAO and mortality persisted in all examined subgroups and across all subject populations. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first systematic review and meta-analysis demonstrating the positive dose-dependent association between TMAO plasma levels and increased cardiovascular risk and mortality.

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Crossref · 10.1093/eurheartj/ehx342

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  • High levels of trimethylamine N-oxide have been associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality.

    “High levels of TMAO have been associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality.143–145”
  • Elevated circulating TMAO levels are associated with both CVD and mortality risks across multiple cohorts and continents, supporting clinical prognostic value.

    “Notably, a clinical prognostic value of TMAO has been supported by multiple meta-analyses reaffirming that elevated circulating TMAO levels are associated with both CVD and mortality risks across multiple cohorts and continents.[10][11][12]”
  • Meta-analyses confirm a strong clinical association between increased TMAO levels and incident adverse cardiovascular events and mortality risks in multiple populations.

    “several recent meta-analyses confirm a strong clinical association between increased levels of TMAO and incident adverse cardiovascular event and mortality risks in multiple populations25–27.”
  • Meta-analyses have concluded that a strong relationship exists between elevated circulating trimethylamine N-oxide levels and both cardiovascular disease risk and mortality in multiple cohorts on different continents.

    “While not all studies have observed the relationship between heightened TMAO levels and incident CVD risks, examination of extant clinical studies with TMAO in multiple meta-analyses have concluded that a strong relationship indeed exists between elevated circulating TMAO levels and both CVD risk and mortality in multiple cohorts on different continents105–107.”

    From Gut microbiota and cardiovascular disease. (2020) · cites this paper as [105]

  • In one recent meta-analysis comprising more than 25,000 subjects, a 7.6% increase in all-cause mortality was noted for each 10 μmol/L increment of trimethylamine N-oxide.

    “And in one recent meta-analysis comprising >25000 subjects, a 7.6% increase in all-cause mortality was noted for each 10μmol/L increment of TMAO105.”

    From Gut microbiota and cardiovascular disease. (2020) · cites this paper as [105]

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Authors
Schiattarella, G. G., Sannino, A., Toscano, E., Giugliano, G., Gargiulo, G., Franzone, A., Trimarco, B., Esposito, G., & Perrino, C.
Affiliations
  • University of Naples Federico II (IT)
  • Baylor University Medical Center (US)
  • University Hospital of Bern (CH)
Corresponding author
Perrino, Cinzia
Venue
European Heart Journal
Published
2017-07-11
Volume
38
Issue
39
Pages
2948-2956
ISSN
  • 0195-668X (ISSN-L)
  • 1522-9645
OpenAlex
W2734440527
Cited by
563
References
51
Citations by year
2026: 49 · 2025: 57 · 2024: 60 · 2023: 72 · 2022: 90 · 2021: 96 · 2020: 63 · 2019: 38 · 2018: 36 · 2017: 1 · 2012: 1
FWCI
3.53
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • European Heart Journal (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • MDC Repository (Max-Delbrueck-Center for Molecular Medicine) (submittedVersion)
Funders
Ministero della Salute (GR-2009-1596220)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Gut microbiota and health
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Nutritional Studies and Diet
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pathology and Forensic Medicine › Alcohol Consumption and Health Effects
Keywords
trimethylamine N-oxide, gut microbiota, cardiovascular risk, all-cause mortality, major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events, dose-response relationship, plasma biomarkers, cardiovascular risk markers
MeSH terms
Gastrointestinal Microbiome, Aged, Cardiovascular Diseases, Cause of Death, Dose-Response Relationship, Drug, Female, Humans, Male, Methylamines, Middle Aged, Myocardial Infarction, Risk Factors, Biomarkers, Stroke

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