Description
Trimethylamine (TMA) is a volatile tertiary amine. It is found in food products both in its original form and in the form of precursor compounds: trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), choline, betaine, and L-carnitine. TMA is also formed from phospholipids in the liver and gastrointestinal tract and is a metabolic product of certain bacteria. Under normal physiological conditions, TMA is not considered an intermediate metabolite in the human body; however, upon consumption of food rich in trimethylamine or its precursors, due to its physicochemical properties, it is easily absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, entering the bloodstream and converting into TMAO in the liver through the action of the enzyme flavin-containing monooxygenase (isoform 3).
Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are linked to a diet based on animal products, which are the main source of trimethylamine (TMA), a precursor to the proatherogenic compound trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO). Disruption of the metabolism of gut metabolites TMA/TMAO increases the risk of developing various diseases, including cardiovascular diseases (atherosclerosis), liver and kidney diseases, metabolic syndrome, and type 2 diabetes. According to the latest data, a link is also observed between high levels of circulating TMA and an increased risk of rectal cancer, chronic inflammation, and blood-brain barrier disruption. The association between trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) levels and the group of cardiovascular diseases allows this parameter to be placed alongside such known risk factors as persistent high blood pressure and high levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood.
Period of execution
Within 9 days. The specified time does not include the day of biomaterial collection
Biomaterial type