Diet, Trimethylamine Metabolism, and Mitochondrial DNA: An Observational Study. Issue 13 (11th May 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bordoni, Laura; Malinowska, Anna M.; Petracci, Irene; Szwengiel, Artur; Gabbianelli, Rosita; Chmurzynska, Agata
• Is Part Of: Molecular nutrition & food research. Volume 66:Issue 13(2022)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2022-05-11
• Subjects: DNA methylation -- epigenetics -- mitochondrial DNA -- nutrigenomics -- trimethylamine‐n‐oxide; Food -- Biotechnology -- Periodicals; Food -- Microbiology -- Periodicals; Nutrition -- Periodicals; Food -- Toxicology -- Periodicals; Nutrition -- Periodicals; Food Microbiology -- Periodicals; Food Technology -- Periodicals; Molecular Biology -- Periodicals; 664.0705
• DOI: 10.1002/mnfr.202200003
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1613-4125

Abstract

Abstract : Scope: Mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNAcn) and its methylation level in the D‐loop area have been correlated with metabolic health and are suggested to vary in response to environmental stimuli, including diet. Circulating levels of trimethylamine‐n‐oxide (TMAO), which is an oxidative derivative of the trimethylamine (TMA) produced by the gut microbiome from dietary precursors, have been associated with chronic diseases and are suggested to have an impact on mitochondrial dynamics. This study is aimed to investigate the relationship between diet, TMA, TMAO, and mtDNAcn, as well as DNA methylation. Methods and results: Two hundred subjects with extreme (healthy and unhealthy) dietary patterns are recruited. Dietary records are collected to assess their nutrient intake and diets' quality (Healthy Eating Index). Blood levels of TMA and TMAO, circulating levels of TMA precursors and their dietary intakes are measured. MtDNAcn, nuclear DNA methylation long interspersed nuclear element 1 (LINE‐1), and strand‐specific D‐loop methylation levels are assessed. There is no association between dietary patterns and mtDNAcn. The TMAO/TMA ratio is negatively correlated with d ‐loop methylation levels but positively with mtDNAcn. Conclusions: These findings suggest a potential association between TMA metabolism and mitochondrial dynamics (and mtDNA), indicating a new avenue for further research. Abstract : Trimethylamine‐n‐oxide (TMAO) is an oxidative derivative of the trimethylamine (TMA) produced by the gut microbiome from dietary precursors. In this study, individuals following a Western diet show a higher TMAO/TMA ratio than those following a healthy diet. The dietary pattern is not associated to mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNAcn) and methylation, but these parameters are correlated with the TMAO/TMA ratio.