Work

Elevated Serum Trimethylamine N-Oxide Predicts Impaired Vascular Reactivity in Patients with Hypertension

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Background/Objectives: Trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), a gut microbiota-derived metabolite influenced by diet, has been linked to cardiovascular disease. Endothelial dysfunction, an early sign of vascular damage, is common in hypertension. This study examined the relationship between serum TMAO levels and endothelial function, assessed by the vascular reactivity index (VRI), in patients with hypertension. Methods: In total, 110 patients with hypertension were enrolled. Fasting serum TMAO was measured using high-performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry. Endothelial function was evaluated via digital thermal monitoring, with VRI categorized as good (>2.0), intermediate (1.0–1.9), or poor (<1.0). Results: Of the participants, 10 (9.1%) exhibited poor vascular reactivity, 57 (51.8%) had intermediate reactivity, and 43 (39.1%) exhibited good vascular reactivity. Poor reactivity correlated with older age (p = 0.010), higher total cholesterol (p = 0.007), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (p = 0.009), and higher TMAO levels (p < 0.001). In multivariate forward stepwise linear regression, the log-transformed TMAO level (log-TMAO) remained independently and inversely associated with VRI (p < 0.001). Logistic regression analyses demonstrated that elevated TMAO concentrations were significantly associated with an increased likelihood of vascular reactivity dysfunction (intermediate and poor groups combined; odds ratio [OR] = 1.10, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.047–1.155; p < 0.001) and, in particular, with poor vascular reactivity (OR = 1.58, 95% CI: 1.002–2.492; p = 0.049). Conclusions: Elevated serum TMAO is independently associated with endothelial dysfunction in hypertension.

Source: Diagnostics

DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics15182400

Authors: I-Min Su, Ji-Hung Wang, Chin-Hung Liu, Bang-Gee Hsu

Institutions: Tzu Chi University, Dalin Tzu Chi Hospital, Tzu Chi Foundation, Buddhist Tzu Chi General Hospital, Hualien Tzu Chi Medical Center

Language: English

Topic: Nitric Oxide and Endothelin Effects

Subfield: Physiology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,137