Diet-induced chronic syndrome, metabolically transformed trimethylamine-N-oxide, and the cardiovascular functions.

ABSTRACT

Recent studies have shown that the integrity of the gastrointestinal tract and its microbiome impact the functioning of various body systems by regulating immunological responses, extracting energy, remodeling intestinal epithelia, and strengthening the gut itself. The gastrointestinal tract microbiota includes bacteria, fungi, protozoa, viruses, and archaea which collectively comprise a dynamic community prone to alterations via influences such as the environment, illness, and metabolic processes. The idea that the host's diet possesses characteristics that could potentially alter microbiota composition is a novel notion. We hypothesize that a high fat diet leads to the alteration of the gastrointestinal microbiota composition and that metabolic transformation of the compound trimethylamine into trimethylamine-N-oxide promotes vasculopathy such as atherosclerosis and affects cardiovascular functionality. Furthermore, we hypothesize that treatment with probiotics will restore the homeostatic environment (eubiosis) of the gastrointestinal tract.