Abstract
Background Trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) and its predecessor products, choline, L-carnitine, and betaine, were reported to be associated with cardiovascular events risk. However, the association of TMAO and its predecessors with extent of artery stenosis in coronary artery disease (CAD) and in different gender is still unknown. Our aim is to investigate the association of plasma TMAO and its predecessors in CAD and extent of artery lesion in different gender. Methods 94 CAD patients and 75 healthy controls (CON) were enrolled. Fasting plasma TMAO, choline, L-carnitine, and betaine were detected using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Results Elevated plasma TMAO but not choline, L-carnitine, or betaine was observed in CAD (1.46(0.8–2.32) μM) and severe artery stenosis patients (S) (1.62(0.91–2.81) μM) compared with controls and mild artery stenosis (M) (1.18(0.67–1.7) μM in CON; 1.27(0.77–1.82) μM in M, p < 0.05). TMAO was an independent risk factor of CAD and severe artery stenosis (CAD : OR = 1.81, 95%CI: 1.07–3.09, p=0.03; S : OR = 1.36, 95%CI: 1.01–1.84, p=0.04). TMAO was more sensitive in diagnosing CAD and severe artery stenosis from controls in men rather than in women by ROC analysis (AUC for men and women in CAD: 0.64 versus 0.57; AUC for men and women in S: 0.64 versus 0.58), while the combined four metabolites greatly improved diagnostic accuracy in women with CAD and severe artery stenosis (AUC in CAD: 0.64, AUC in S: 0.68). Conclusion The associations of TMAO with CAD and severe artery stenosis were sex-related. TMAO alone was more powerful in determining CAD and artery stenosis in men than women, while a combination of TMAO, choline, L-carnitine, and betaine could be potential biomarkers for diagnosing CAD and artery stenosis in both men and women.
Highlights
Trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) and its predecessor products, choline, L-carnitine, and betaine, were reported to be associated with cardiovascular events risk
We aimed to explore the relationship between plasma TMAO, choline, L-carnitine, and betaine concentrations with coronary artery disease (CAD) incidence and severity of arterial stenosis in male and female CAD patients
Results of logistic analysis in our study showed that elevated TMAO concentration tended to have higher odds ratio for both CAD incidence and sever artery stenosis in male than in female subjects
Summary
Trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) and its predecessor products, choline, L-carnitine, and betaine, were reported to be associated with cardiovascular events risk. The association of TMAO and its predecessors with extent of artery stenosis in coronary artery disease (CAD) and in different gender is still unknown. Our aim is to investigate the association of plasma TMAO and its predecessors in CAD and extent of artery lesion in different gender. Elevated plasma TMAO but not choline, L-carnitine, or betaine was observed in CAD (1.46(0.8–2.32) μM) and severe artery stenosis patients (S) (1.62(0.91–2.81) μM) compared with controls and mild artery stenosis (M) (1.18(0.67–1.7) μM in CON; 1.27(0.77–1.82) μM in M, p < 0.05). TMAO alone was more powerful in determining CAD and artery stenosis in men than women, while a combination of TMAO, choline, L-carnitine, and betaine could be potential biomarkers for diagnosing CAD and artery stenosis in both men and women
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