# Tangeretin Mitigates Trimethylamine Oxide Induced Arterial Inflammation by Disrupting Choline–Trimethylamine Conversion through Specific Manipulation of Intestinal Microflora

## TL;DR

Tangeretin reduces arterial inflammation by altering gut bacteria that convert choline into a harmful compound linked to heart disease.

## Contribution

This study reveals how tangeretin specifically targets gut bacteria to disrupt choline metabolism and reduce cardiovascular inflammation.

## Key findings

- Tangeretin reduces the population of TMA-producing bacteria like Clostridiaceae and Lactobacillus.
- Tangeretin treatment lowers choline-to-TMA conversion efficiency in rat models.
- Modulation of gut microbiota by tangeretin ameliorates choline-induced cardiovascular inflammation.

## Abstract

Previous studies have revealed the microbial metabolism of dietary choline in the gut, leading to its conversion into trimethylamine (TMA). Polymethoxyflavones (PMFs), exemplified by tangeretin, have shown efficacy in mitigating choline-induced cardiovascular inflammation. However, the specific mechanism by which these compounds exert their effects, particularly in modulating the gut microbiota, remains uncertain. This investigation focused on tangeretin, a representative PMFs, to explore its influence on the gut microbiota and the choline–TMA conversion process. Experimental results showed that tangeretin treatment significantly attenuated the population of CutC–active bacteria, particularly Clostridiaceae and Lactobacillus, induced by choline chloride in rat models. This inhibition led to a decreased efficiency in choline conversion to TMA, thereby ameliorating cardiovascular inflammation resulting from prolonged choline consumption. In conclusion, tangeretin’s preventive effect against cardiovascular inflammation is intricately linked to its targeted modulation of TMA–producing bacterial activity.