Choline Metabolism to the Proatherogenic Metabolite Trimethylamine Occurs Primarily in the Distal Colon Microbiome In Vitro.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Gut microbial metabolism of choline and related quaternary amines to trimethylamine (TMA) is the first step in the production of trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), a circulating metabolite that contributes to the development of atherosclerosis and other forms of cardiovascular disease (CVD). No data exist on regional differences in TMA production within the colon due to difficulties studying gut regions in vivo. A better understanding of TMA production by gut microbiota is needed to develop strategies to limit TMA production in the gut and TMAO levels in circulation with the goal of reducing CVD risk.

METHODS

We employed our novel three-compartment MiGut in vitro model, which establishes three distinct microbial ecologies mimicking the proximal, mid, and distal colon, to study conversion of choline to TMA by human gut microbiota using isotopically labelled substrate.

RESULTS

Choline-d was almost completely converted to TMA-d in vessels 2-3 (mimicking the mid and distal colon) within 6-8 h, but little conversion occurred in vessel 1 (mimicking the proximal colon). Abundance of , part of the gene cluster responsible for choline conversion to TMA, was highest in vessel 1 vs. 2-3, suggesting that its expression or activity may be suppressed in the proximal colon. Another possibility is that the viability/activity of bacteria expressing could be suppressed in the same region.

CONCLUSIONS

This novel finding suggests that while bacteria capable of converting choline to TMA exist throughout the colon, their activity may be different in distinct colon regions. The regional specificity of TMA production, if confirmed in vivo, has implications for both basic microbial ecology related to CVD and the development of strategies to control TMA and TMAO production, with the goal of lowering CVD risk. These findings warrant further study in vitro and in vivo.