Gut microbes with the <i>gbu</i> genes determine TMAO production from L-carnitine intake and serve as a biomarker for precision nutrition.

ABSTRACT: Gut microbial metabolism of L-carnitine, which leads to the production of detrimental trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), offers a plausible link between red meat consumption and cardiovascular risks. Several microbial genes, including cntA/B, the cai operon, and the recently identified gbu gene cluster, have been implicated in the conversion of dietary L-carnitine into TMA(O). However, the key microbial genes and associated gut microbes involved in this pathway have not been fully explored. Utilizing the oral carnitine challenge test (OCCT), which specifically measures TMAO production from L-carnitine intake and identifies TMAO producer phenotypes, we compared the abundance of microbial genes between low- and high-TMAO producers across three independent cohorts. Our findin

SUBMITTER: Wu WK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12026204 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature