TMAO and Alzheimers ? (new paper)

New paper.  Since 2011, Trimethylamine-n-oxide has been postulated by a Cleveland Clinic paper as having a connection with atherosclerosis (and so Heart Disease). Before this 2011 paper trimethylamine metabolism in humans was ignored. Since then it has been suggested as possibly having a role in many of the worst health problems in humans.

List of diseases postulated as having a possible connection with TMAO (so far, all since 2011) :
Diabetes.
Chronic kidney disease.  
Atherosclerosis (e.g. heart disease, stroke)

And now, a paper postulates that TMAO may be associated with Alzheimers (Alz) :
Paper : TMAO and Alzheimer's
Xu R, Wang Q
Dpt of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Institute of Computational Biology, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland
ThinTek LLC, Palo Alto

Context of the paper (my view) :

Seems to be a 'computational' look at microbiome stats to look for a connection between gut microbiome compounds (only) and Alz. The conclusion seems to be TMAO could be of interest as a biomarker. 

I have not heard of the authors or labs. 

It should be kept in mind that it seems pretty speculative (for now) and many of these types of papers are put out, often contradicting.

I'm not thinking it's correct or false or significant (yet).

Quote :
We identified common genetic pathways underlying AD biomarkers and its top one ranked metabolite trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), a gut microbial metabolite of dietary meat and fat. These coregulated pathways between TMAO-AD may provide insights into the mechanisms of how dietary meat and fat contribute to AD.

What's this to do with systemic body odor ?

Currently the only volatile tested for SBO is trimethylamine (TMA), and the only documented SBO is trimethylaminuria (TMAU). Until 2011 there was no interest in TMA metabolism in humans. Now since the CVD-TMAO theory (and other diseases), TMA metabolism is of great interest. This co-incidence is very good news for those who feel they have TMAU only (i.e. only smell of TMA), as it means great interest in TMA metabolism and will likely lead to 'therapies'. P&G already have a deal with Cleveland Heartlab to produce an over-the-counter 'TMAO-management supplement' (at a guess, a 'TMA-blocker pill'. It is not known when.

My own view :

Currently I suspect that FMO3 enzyme is the right enzyme highlighted as being the main 'SBO enzyme', but that the smells are not limited to TMA. So I am a bit cautious about hoping 'TMA cures' will mean 'SBO cures', but will be buying any TMA therapy by the crate.

I currently have no opinion the 'TMAO connection theory' to diseases, but grateful for all the attention/research to TMA metabolism.

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By sysbodyodor

fecal body odor, metabolic malodor, metabolic/systemic malodor, TMAO Research

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