Free Choline but Not Phosphatidylcholine Elevates Circulating Trimethylamine-N-oxide and This Response Is Modified by the Gut Microbiota Composition in Healthy Men

摘要

Trimethylamine- -oxide (TMAO), a choline-derived gut microbiota-dependent metabolite, is a newly recognized risk marker for cardiovascular disease. However, the contributions of different forms of choline and gut microbiota composition on TMAO production are largely unknown. The objectives of this study were to: 1) compare acute TMAO response to meals containing free choline (choline bitartrate) versus fat-soluble choline (phosphatidylcholine) and 2) to determine the effects of gut microbiota composition on TMAO response.