Correlation Between Serum Trimethylamine-N-oxide and Body Fat Distribution in Middle-aged and Older Adults: a Prospective Cohort Study

Overview

Journal Nutr J

Publisher Biomed Central

Specialty Nutritional Sciences

Date 2024 Jul 9

PMID 38982486

Authors

Si Chen

Xiao-Yan Chen

Zi-Hui Huang

Ai-Ping Fang

Shu-Yi Li

Rong-Zhu Huang

Yu-Ming Chen

Bi-Xia Huang

Hui-Lian Zhu

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: Trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) is linked with obesity, while limited evidence on its relationship with body fat distribution. Herein, we investigated the associations between serum TMAO and longitudinal change of fat distribution in this prospective cohort study.

Methods: Data of 1964 participants (40-75y old) from Guangzhou Nutrition and Health Study (GNHS) during 2008-2014 was analyzed. Serum TMAO concentration was quantified by HPLC-MS/MS at baseline. The body composition was assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry at each 3-y follow-up. Fat distribution parameters were fat-to-lean mass ratio (FLR) and trunk-to-leg fat ratio (TLR). Fat distribution changes were derived from the coefficient of linear regression between their parameters and follow-up duration.

Results: After an average of 6.2-y follow-up, analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) and linear regression displayed women with higher serum TMAO level had greater increments in trunk FLR (mean ± SD: 1.47 ± 4.39, P = 0.006) and TLR (mean ± SD: 0.06 ± 0.24, P = 0.011). Meanwhile, for women in the highest TMAO tertile, linear mixed-effects model (LMEM) analysis demonstrated the annual estimated increments (95% CI) were 0.03 (95% CI: 0.003 - 0.06, P = 0.032) in trunk FLR and 1.28 (95% CI: -0.17 - 2.73, P = 0.083) in TLR, respectively. In men, there were no similar significant observations. Sensitivity analysis yielded consistent results.

Conclusion: Serum TMAO displayed a more profound correlation with increment of FLR and TLR in middle-aged and older community-dwelling women in current study. More and further studies are still warranted in the future.

Trial Registration: NCT03179657.

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