Increased Gut Microbiota-Dependent Trimethylamine-N-Oxide and Body Mass Index Associated With Metabolic Syndrome Risk in a Community-Dwelling Elders

Abstract

Abstract Objectives In this cross-sectional community-based study, we explored the relationship between TMAO and BMI with metabolic syndrome among middle-aged and elderly adults in Taiwan. Methods Population in this study were from a cross-sectional, community-based study in northern Taipei City, Taiwan. Eighty-six adults subject aged over 40 years (men and women) were enrolled. All subjects live near the Shin Kong Hospital. Body mass index (BMI) calculated based on body height and weight data. TMAO measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) according to the manufactory's instruction. Metabolic syndrome was defined based on the 2005 revised National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP ATP III). The logistic regression, odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. Results This study reported that the metabolic syndrome group had higher TMAO levels (17.62 ng/mL) compare to participants without metabolic syndrome. In a multiple logistic regression, after adjusted with age, gender, weekly red meat consumption, log Hs-CRP, log choline, l-carnitine, and total body fat percentage, TMAO (adjusted OR = 5.89, 95% CI: 1.08–32.37) and BMI (adjusted OR = 1.39, 95% CI: 1.08–1.79) were more likely to increase metabolic syndrome risk. Conclusions TMAO and BMI have roles in increasing metabolic syndrome risk. TMAO associated with higher OR of metabolic syndrome than BMI. Therefore, these findings showed that TMAO is a potential biomarker to predict metabolic syndrome risk in middle-aged and elderly adults in Taiwan. Funding Sources Indonesia Endowment Fund for Education (LPDP-BUDI LN), the Ministry of Finance, and the Ministry of Research Technology Higher Education, Republic of Indonesia.