Background and purpose
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a global public health problem and one of the leading causes of all-cause mortality. However, the pathogenic mechanisms and intervention
Purpose
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a global public health problem and one of the leading causes of all-cause mortality. However, the pathogenic mechanisms and intervention
Results
Trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) was identified as a promising marker among the 18 potential markers found in the first cohort, and it was optimally correlated with renal function of CKD patients in the second cohort. Treatment of HK-2 cells with TMAO decreased cell viability and up-regulated expression of α-smooth muscle actin. In mice, a TMAO-containing diet decreased kidney mass and increased protein expression of α-smooth muscle actin. Also, control of TMAO production by inhibiting its biosynthetic pathway with 3,3-dimethyl-1-butanol or disrupting gut microbiota function with an antibiotic cocktail, attenuated renal injury in a murine model of CKD.