biostudies-literatureLei YSelf funded research project of the Health Commission of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous RegionHunan Science and Technology Youth Talent Support ProgramScience and technology innovation Program of Hunan Province32https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC12797744biostudies-literatureUnknown27(1)<h4>Background</h4>Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a significant global health challenge with a multifaceted etiology. Risk stratification and timely intervention are crucial for mitigating CKD progression. Trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), a gut microbiota metabolite, has been implicated in CKD pathogenesis. However, the lack of standardized diagnostic assays for TMAO has limited its clinical applicability.<h4>Methods</h4>We conducted a multicenter observational study in Southern China. Plasma TMAO levels were quantified using a newly developed liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS)-based diagnostic kit in a cohort of 272 participants, including healthy controls and CKD patients. We analyzed the correlation between TMAO levels and renal function indicators, evaluated the utility of BMC nephrologyUtility of trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) as a biomarker for risk stratification in chronic kidney disease: a multicenter observational study.PMC127977442023TJ-N20Z-A202311682023RC3232Jiang JXia ZLi CChen LZhang HHe MDeng JFei YOuyan DZhang WQu SLi XLei YFang QNing YfalseUtility of trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) as a biomarker for risk stratification in chronic kidney disease: a multicenter observational study.<h4>Background</h4>Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a significant global health challenge with a multifaceted etiology. Risk stratification and timely intervention are crucial for mitigating CKD progression. Trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), a gut microbiota metabolite, has been implicated in CKD pathogenesis. However, the lack of standardized diagnostic assays for TMAO has limited its clinical applicability.<h4>Methods</h4>We conducted a multicenter observational study in Southern China. Plasma TMAO levels were quantified using a newly developed liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS)-based diagnostic kit in a cohort of 272 participants, including healthy controls and CKD patients. We analyzed the correlation between TMAO levels and renal function indicators, evaluated the utility of 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z2025 Dec2026-06-09T05:38:00.942Z2026-06-09T03:07:31.935ZS-EPMC127977444135335010.1186/s12882-025-04625-y