NCT02838732

Investigation on the Effect of Carnitine Supplement on Gut Microbiota and TMAO Production Capacity

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 56 (actual)
• Sponsor: National Taiwan University Hospital · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 20 Years – 65 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

In this project, the investigators aim to explore the impact of dietary L-carnitine supplementation on the TMAO production capacity of gut microbiota.

Detailed description

Recent studies have established plasma trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) levels as a strong, independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. TMAO is produced by the interaction between gut microflora and ingested L-carnitine from food. Research indicates that both plasma TMAO concentration and the TMAO production capacity of gut microbiota in vegetarians are significantly lower than in omnivores, likely due to the reduced L-carnitine intake in vegetarian diets. This study aims to explore the impact of L-carnitine supplementation on the TMAO production capacity of human gut microbiota and to identify TMAO-producing bacteria within the gut microflora. The study plans to recruit both omnivore and vegetarian volunteers to undergo a one-month L-carnitine supplementation, followed by an evaluation of changes in TMAO production using an oral L-carnitine challenge test, along with gut microbiota assessment. TMAO concentration will be measured using LC-MS/MS, and gut microbiome analysis will be conducted through shotgun metagenome sequencing. Bioinformatic analysis may reveal potential TMAO-producing bacteria. Understanding the changes in TMAO production and gut microbiota composition post-L-carnitine supplementation may enhance our knowledge of the interplay between L-carnitine supplements, TMAO, and gut microflora.

Conditions

• Dietary Exposure

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT	L-carnitine supplementation (500 mg per tablet per day, purchased from GNC company)

Timeline

• Start date: 2016-05-18
• Primary completion: 2017-11-20
• Completion: 2019-10-07
• First posted: 2016-07-20
• Last updated: 2023-12-18

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Taiwan