Plasma Trimethylamine N -Oxide, a Gut Microbe–Generated Phosphatidylcholine Metabolite, Is Associated With Atherosclerotic Burden

Jun 4, 2016Journal of the American College of Cardiology

Blood Levels of a Gut Microbe Metabolite Linked to Atherosclerosis

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Abstract

The median fasting plasma TMAO level was 5.5 μM among 353 patients with atherosclerotic coronary artery disease.

Plasma TMAO levels correlated significantly with the SYNTAX score (r = 0.61) and SYNTAX score II (r = 0.62), indicating a relationship between TMAO and atherosclerotic complexity.
Higher TMAO levels were independently associated with higher SYNTAX scores (odds ratio 4.82) and SYNTAX score II (odds ratio 1.88) after adjusting for various risk factors.
Elevated TMAO levels were linked to the presence of diffuse lesions (odds ratio 2.05), even when controlling for traditional risk factors and high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T.
No association was found between TMAO levels and subclinical myonecrosis (odds ratio 1.14).

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BACKGROUND: Trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), a gut microbiota metabolite from dietary phosphatidylcholine, has mechanistic links to atherosclerotic coronary artery disease (CAD) pathogenesis and is associated with adverse outcomes.

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to examine the relationship between plasma TMAO levels and the complexity and burden of CAD and degree of subclinical myonecrosis.

METHODS: We studied 353 consecutive stable patients with evidence of atherosclerotic CAD detected by elective coronary angiography between 2012 and 2014. Their high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT) levels were measured. SYNTAX (Synergy Between Percutaneous Coronary Intervention With Taxus and Cardiac Surgery) scores and lesion characteristics were used to quantify atherosclerotic burden. Fasting plasma TMAO was measured by mass spectrometry.

RESULTS: In this prospective cohort study, the median TMAO level was 5.5 μM (interquartile range [IQR]: 3.4 to 9.8 μM), the median SYNTAX score was 11.0 (IQR: 4.0 to 18.5), and 289 (81.9%), 40 (11.3%), and 24 (6.8%) patients had low (0 to 22), intermediate (23 to 32), and high (≥33) SYNTAX scores, respectively. Plasma TMAO levels correlated (all p < 0.0001) with the SYNTAX score (r = 0.61), SYNTAX score II (r = 0.62), and hs-cTnT (r = 0.29). Adjusting for traditional risk factors, body mass index, medications, lesion characteristic, renal function, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, elevated TMAO levels remained independently associated with a higher SYNTAX score (odds ratio [OR]: 4.82; p < 0.0001), SYNTAX score II (OR: 1.88; p = 0.0001), but were not associated with subclinical myonecrosis (OR: 1.14; p = 0.3147). Elevated TMAO level was an independent predictor of the presence of diffuse lesions, even after adjustments for traditional risk factors and for hs-cTnT (OR: 2.05; 95% confidence interval: 1.45 to 2.90; p = 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS: Fasting plasma TMAO levels are an independent predictor of a high atherosclerotic burden in patients with CAD.

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Plasma Trimethylamine N -Oxide, a Gut Microbe–Generated Phosphatidylcholine Metabolite, Is Associated With Atherosclerotic Burden

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