Gut Dysbiosis for TMAO Production From L-carnitine Consumption
Conditions
Keywords
gbu gene cluster, TMAO, gut microbiota, red meat, cardiovascular disease
Brief summary
The risk of cardiovascular diseases from red meat consumption varies among individuals due to variations in gut microbiota. L-carnitine in red meat can be converted to TMAO in the body by certain bacteria. Not everyone experiences a significant increase in TMAO levels after consuming carnitine. Gut microbiota differences are observed between high and low TMAO producers. The presence of the gbu gene in gut microbiota is linked to TMAO production. This clinical research aims to determine if the gbu gene can predict TMAO levels after dietary carnitine intake.
Detailed description
The risk of developing cardiovascular diseases due to the consumption of red meat varies among individuals, and this may be attributed to differences in the composition and function of gut microbiota. Studies have found that red meat, rich in L-carnitine, may be metabolized by certain anaerobic bacteria in the intestines to produce trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) in the human body. Previous research utilizing the oral carnitine challenge test (OCCT) revealed that not everyone experiences a significant increase in blood TMAO levels after consuming carnitine. Moreover, individuals with high TMAO production and low TMAO production showed distinct differences in their gut microbiota. Furthermore, we have discovered a significant correlation between the abundance of the gbu gene in gut microbiota and the production of TMAO in response to dietary carnitine intake. Therefore, through the design of clinical research, we aim to investigate and assess whether the abundance of the gbu gene in gut microbiota can predict the levels of TMAO produced in the human body under dietary carnitine intake.
Interventions
DIETARY_SUPPLEMENTL-carnitine
Participants are required to take a capsule containing 500mg L-carnitine/day continuous for 7-10 days.
Sponsors
National Taiwan University Hospital
Study design
Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 70 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Adult with age between 18 to 70 * Must be able to swallow tablets
Exclusion criteria
* Antibiotics use within one month * L-carnitine supplement use within one month * Chronic diarrhea * Myasthenia gravis * Diabetes mellitus * Parathyroid disorders * Chronic kidney disease * Epilepsy * Severe anemia * Cardiovascular diseases.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Blood TMAO level measured by LC-MS/MS | up to 7-10 days |
| Urine TMAO level measured by LC-MS/MS | up to 7-10 days |
| Fecal gbuB gene abundance measured by qPCR | up to 7-10 days |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Carnitine intake measured by 24hr dietary record | up to 7-10 days |
| Gut microbiome profiles measured by shotgun metagenome sequencing | up to 7-10 days |
Countries
Taiwan
Outcome results
None listed