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Cited by 80Gut microbiota and healthNutritional Studies and DietFatty Acid Research and Health

Metaorganismal nutrient metabolism as a basis of cardiovascular disease

Open access
Brown, J. Mark, Hazen, Stanley L.·2014·Current Opinion in Lipidology
DOI 10.1097/mol.0000000000000036PMC PMC4018574
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Abstract

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Atherosclerosis and associated cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of mortality in Western societies. It is well accepted that the consumption of foods abundant in saturated fats and cholesterol, like meats, egg yolk and high-fat dairy products, are associated with increased CVD risk. New evidence suggests that trimethylamine (TMA)-containing nutrients within these foods, including phosphatidylcholine, choline, and L-carnitine, can enter into a microbial metabolic pathway that promotes CVD. In this review, we highlight the role of gut microbiota-driven nutrient metabolism as a novel pathway promoting CVD. RECENT FINDINGS: Recent studies demonstrate a link between ingestion of dietary phosphatidylcholine, choline, and L-carnitine and CVD risk. At the center of this pathway is gut microbiota-dependent synthesis of a metabolic intermediate called TMA, and subsequent host-driven conversion of TMA to trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO). Microbiota-dependent generation of TMAO is associated with increased risk of incident major adverse cardiovascular events in humans, and provision of TMAO promotes atherosclerosis in mice. SUMMARY: Microbial metabolism of TMA containing nutrients can lead to formation of the proatherogenic compound TMAO. Recent insights into this diet-microbe-host interaction provide new clues surrounding the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, and may serve as a framework for new CVD therapies.

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  • TMAO is biologically active and has been proposed as a contributor to chronic human diseases such as atherosclerosis.

    “Trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) is a biologically active molecule and is a putative promoter of chronic diseases including atherosclerosis in humans.”

    From Trimethylamine <i>N</i> -Oxide, the Microbiome, and Heart and Kidney Disease (2017) · cites this paper as [19]

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Authors
Brown, J. M., & Hazen, S. L.
Affiliations
Cleveland Clinic (US)
Corresponding author
Hazen, Stanley L.
ORCID
Venue
Current Opinion in Lipidology
Publisher
Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Published
2014-02
Volume
25
Issue
1
Pages
48-53
ISSN
0957-9672 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1097/mol.0000000000000036
PMC
PMC4018574
OpenAlex
W2020141714
Cited by
80
References
7
Citations by year
2026: 4 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 7 · 2021: 5 · 2020: 7 · 2019: 7 · 2018: 4 · 2017: 10 · 2016: 3 · 2015: 11 · 2014: 13
FWCI
0.85
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Current Opinion in Lipidology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
  • National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (R00HL096166, P20HL113452, P01HL076491, P01HL098055, R01HL103866)
  • National Center for Research Resources (UL1RR024989)
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 › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Fatty Acid Research and Health
Keywords
trimethylamine N-oxide, trimethylamine, gut microbiota, atherosclerosis, cardiovascular disease, phosphatidylcholine, choline, L-carnitine, dietary saturated fat, cholesterol, major adverse cardiovascular events
MeSH terms
Animals, Cardiovascular Diseases, Carnitine, Diet, Humans, Methylamines, Risk, Atherosclerosis

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