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Blood levels of TMAO, a byproduct generated from intestinal bacterial as they metabolize dietary nutrients, progressively increase with advancing severity of kidney disease.
TMAO levels are dramatically reduced when kidney function is restored following kidney transplantation.
High TMAO levels are linked with an increased risk of atherosclerosis and premature death in patients with chronic kidney disease.
Washington, DC (July 30, 2015) -- In patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), atherosclerosis is exceedingly common and contributes to the development of heart disease, which is the leading cause of death in this group. New research suggests that an organic byproduct generated by intestinal bacteria may be responsible for the formation of cholesterol plaques in the arteries of individuals with decreased kidney function. The findings, which appear in an upcoming issue of the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (JASN), suggest that targeting this byproduct may be a novel strategy for safeguarding the heart health of patients with CKD.
Trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) is generated by certain intestinal bacteria as they metabolize dietary nutrients called choline and L-carnitine. Research has shown that giving TMAO to rodents promotes atherosclerosis and that humans with higher concentrations of TMAO in the bloodstream are at increased risk of developing heart disease. Because TMAO is cleared from the bloodstream almost exclusively by urinary excretion, the kidneys likely play an important role in maintaining low blood levels of the compound.
In a study of 104 patients with CKD, Jason Stubbs, MD, Alan Yu, MB, BChir (The Kidney Institute at the University of Kansas Medical Center), and their colleagues found that blood levels of TMAO increased as kidney function declined. In a subset of 6 patients who underwent kidney transplantation, the procedure led to a significant drop in TMAO levels. Furthermore, in a separate group of 220 CKD patients, high levels of TMAO in the bloodstream were linked with an increased risk of atherosclerosis and death over a 4-year period.
"Based on evidence that TMAO production is dependent on the metabolism of specific dietary constituents by intestinal bacteria, therapies targeting the generation of TMAO precursors by intestinal bacteria may represent a novel strategy for reducing cardiovascular disease and mortality in patients with CKD," said Dr. Stubbs.
In an accompanying editorial, W.H. Wilson Tang, MD (Cleveland Clinic) noted that dietary sources of TMAO generation, such as some species of deep-sea fish, eggs, and meat, should be reviewed and possibly reduced in the diets of patients with CKD. He also stressed that there is considerable excitement over the prospects of modulating intestinal microbiota as a therapeutic strategy in CKD. "There is much to learn in this complex relationship between ourselves and the microbes living within," he wrote.
INFORMATION:
Study co-authors include John House, MS, A. Jacob Ocque, MS, Shiqin Zhang, PhD, Cassandra Johnson, Cassandra Kimber, MD, Kyle Schmidt, Aditi Gupta, MD, James Wetmore, MD, Thomas Nolin, PharmD, PhD, and John Spertus, MD, MPH.
Disclosures: The authors reported no financial disclosures.
The article, entitled "Serum Trimethylamine-N-oxide is Elevated in CKD and Correlates with Coronary Atherosclerosis Burden," will appear online at http://jasn.asnjournals.org/ on July 30, 2015.
The editorial, entitled "Trimethylamine N-Oxide as a Novel Therapeutic Target in
CKD," will appear online at http://jasn.asnjournals.org/.
The content of this article does not reflect the views or opinions of The American Society of Nephrology (ASN). Responsibility for the information and views expressed therein lies entirely with the author(s). ASN does not offer medical advice. All content in ASN publications is for informational purposes only, and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions, or adverse effects. This content should not be used during a medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health care provider if you have any questions about a medical condition, or before taking any drug, changing your diet or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment. Do not ignore or delay obtaining professional medical advice because of information accessed through ASN. Call 911 or your doctor for all medical emergencies.
Founded in 1966, and with more than 15,000 members, the American Society of Nephrology (ASN) leads the fight against kidney disease by educating health professionals, sharing new knowledge, advancing research, and advocating the highest quality care for patients.
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