Dietary supplementation of l-carnitine ameliorates metabolic syndrome independent of trimethylamine N-oxide produced by gut microbes in high-fat diet-induced obese mice. Issue 23 (4th November 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gao, Xiang; Sun, Chengyuan; Zhang, Yuling; Hu, Shiwei; Li, Duo
• Is Part Of: Food & function. Volume 13:Issue 23(2022)
• Page Start: 12039
• Page End: 12050
• Publication Date: 2022-11-04
• Subjects: Food -- Analysis -- Periodicals; Food -- Composition -- Periodicals; Nutrition -- Periodicals; 664.07
• DOI: 10.1039/d2fo02570a
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2042-6496

Abstract

Abstract : l -carnitine ameliorates the major components of metabolic syndrome in high-fat diet-induced obese mice partially through attenuating gut microbiota dysbiosis and independent of the intestinal microbial production of TMAO. Abstract : Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a collection of risk factors of serious metabolic diseases. l -Carnitine is an essential nutrient for human health, and the precursor of trimethylamine N -oxide (TMAO). Previous studies have shown that the effect of l -carnitine on MS is controversial, and no studies have considered the role of gut microbiota in the regulation of MS by l -carnitine. In the present study, we established a high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice model and systematically explored the effect of a broad range of dietary l -carnitine concentrations (0.2% to 4%) on the major components of MS. The results show that l -carnitine (0.5%–4%) reduced HFD-caused body-weight gain, visceral adipose tissue, glucose intolerance, hyperglycemia, HOMA-IR index, hyperlipemia, hypertension, and hyperuricemia. The elevation in the concentrations of IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α and decline in IL-10 in both serum and adipose tissue were also attenuated by l -carnitine. Furthermore, dietary l -carnitine increased the serum levels of TMAO produced by gut microbes. High-dose l -carnitine (2% and 4%), but not low-dose l -carnitine (0.2%–1%), notably modulated the composition of gut microbiota and partially attenuated HFD-induced gut microbiota dysbiosis. These results suggest that the ameliorative effect of l -carnitine on MS was independent of TMAO production and only partially related to the regulation of gut microbiota. This study provides crucial evidence for the utilization of l -carnitine as a safe and effective supplement for MS.