Trimethylamine N-Oxide, a Gut Microbiota-Dependent Metabolite, is Associated with Frailty in Older Adults with Cardiovascular Disease

Overview

Journal Clin Interv Aging

Publisher Dove Medical Press

Specialty Geriatrics

Date 2020 Oct 16

PMID 33061331

Citations 22

Authors

Wei He

Yao Luo

Jun-Peng Liu

Ning Sun

Di Guo

Ling-Ling Cui

Pei-Pei Zheng

Si-Min Yao

Jie-Fu Yang

Hua Wang

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Objective: Our study aimed to explore the association between trimethylamine N-oxide and frailty in older adults with cardiovascular disease.

Patients And Methods: This cross-sectional study analyzed a total of 451 people aged 65 years or older who underwent comprehensive geriatric assessments. Frailty status was determined using a frailty index constructed with 48 variables according to the cumulative deficits model. Physical frailty and cognitive frailty were also assessed in detail. Fasting plasma TMAO was measured by mass spectrometry.

Results: The proportion of frail subjects was 29.9% (135/451). Plasma TMAO levels were significantly higher in frail patients than in nonfrail individuals (4.04 [2.84-7.01] vs 3.21 [2.13-5.03] µM; p<0.001). Elevated plasma TMAO levels were independently associated with the likelihood of frailty (OR 2.12, 95% CI 1.01-4.38, p=0.046). Dose-response analysis revealed a linear association between the TMAO concentration and the OR for frailty. A 2-unit increase in TMAO was independently correlated with physical frailty (OR 1.23, 95% CI 1.08-1.41, p for trend 0.002) and cognitive frailty (OR 1.21, 95% CI 1.01-1.45, p for trend 0.04).

Conclusion: Elevated circulating TMAO levels are independently associated with frailty among older adults with cardiovascular disease.

Citing Articles

The Role of Gut Microbiota-Derived Trimethylamine N-Oxide in the Pathogenesis and Treatment of Mild Cognitive Impairment.

Xie H, Jiang J, Cao S, Xu X, Zhou J, Zhang R Int J Mol Sci. 2025; 26(3).

PMID: 39941141 PMC: 11818489. DOI: 10.3390/ijms26031373.

Cognitive, Neuropsychological and Biological Effects of Oxygen-Ozone Therapy on Frailty: A Study Protocol for a 5-Week, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

Scassellati C, Bonvicini C, Ciani M, Zanardini R, Tomasoni E, Saletti V J Pers Med. 2024; 14(8).

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Gut microbial features and circulating metabolomic signatures of frailty in older adults.

Pu Y, Sun Z, Zhang H, Huang Q, Wang Z, Mei Z Nat Aging. 2024; 4(9):1249-1262.

PMID: 39054372 DOI: 10.1038/s43587-024-00678-0.

Circulating Trimethylamine-N-Oxide Is Elevated in Liver Transplant Recipients.

Trillos-Almanza M, Chvatal-Medina M, Connelly M, Moshage H, TransplantLines Investigators , Bakker S Int J Mol Sci. 2024; 25(11).

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Gut microbiota influence frailty syndrome in older adults: mechanisms and therapeutic strategies.

Wang X, Fan L, Meng C, Wang Y, Deng L, Yuan Z Biogerontology. 2023; 25(1):107-129.

PMID: 38150088 DOI: 10.1007/s10522-023-10082-7.

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