A red wine intervention does not modify plasma trimethylamine N-oxide but is associated with broad shifts in the plasma metabolome and gut microbiota composition

Gut microbiota profiles are closely related to cardiovascular diseases through mechanisms that include the reported deleterious effects of metabolites, such as trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), which have been studied as diagnostic and therapeutic targets. Moderate red wine (RW) consumption is reportedly cardioprotective, possibly by affecting the gut microbiota. A study investigated the effects of RW consumption on the gut microbiota, plasma TMAO, and the plasma metabolome in males with documented coronary artery disease (CAD) .
A randomised, crossover, controlled trial was conducted involving 42 males (average age, 60 years) with documented CAD comparing 3-week RW consumption (250 mL/day, 5 days/week) with an equal period of alcohol abstention, both preceded by a 2-week washout period. The gut microbiota was analysed, plasma TMAO was evaluated and the plasma metabolome of 20 randomly selected participants was evaluated. The effect of RW consumption was assessed by individual comparisons using paired tests during the abstention and RW periods.
Plasma TMAO did not differ between RW intervention and alcohol abstention. After RW consumption, there was significant remodelling of the gut microbiota, with a difference in beta diversity and predominance of Parasutterella, Ruminococcaceae, several Bacteroides species and Prevotella. Plasma metabolomic analysis revealed significant changes in metabolites after RW consumption, consistent with improved redox homeostasis.
The researchers say that modulation of the gut microbiota may contribute to the putative cardiovascular benefits of moderate RW consumption. The low intraindividual concordance of TMAO presents challenges regarding its role as a cardiovascular risk biomarker at the individual level.
Source: Haas EA, Saad MJA, Santos A, Vitulo N, Junior WJFL, Martins AMA, Picossi CRC, Favarato D, Gaspar RS, Magro DO, Libby P, Laurindo FRM, Da Luz PL; WineFlora Study. A red wine interven-tion does not modify plasma trimethylamine N-oxide but is associated with broad shifts in the plasma metabolome and gut microbiota composition. Am J Clin Nutr. 2022 Oct 7:nqac286.