Table 2.
Plasma concentrations of choline metabolites, glucose, and lipids at baseline and after applying OFTT during the first study visit.
| Plasma Biomarkers | Baseline OFTT (Fasting) | After OFTT (4 h) | DeltaOFTT 1 Absolute Changes | Percentage Change from Baseline (%OFTT) 2 | p 3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free choline, µmol/L | 10.6 ± 2.3 | 9.2 ± 2.3 | −1.5 ± 1.9 | −13 ± 16 | 0.004 |
| Betaine, µmol/L | 33.4 ± 9.2 | 31.7 ± 9.3 | −1.7 ± 2.1 | −5.2 ± 6.1 | 0.003 |
| Dimethylglycine, µmol/L | 2.0 ± 0.9 | 1.9 ± 0.9 | −0.05 ± 0.30 | −3 ± 25 | 0.527 |
| Trimethylamine 4, µmol/L | <LOD | <LOD | / | / | / |
| TMAO 5, µmol/L | 4.1 ± 2.3 | 5.6 ± 4.1 | +1.5 ± 3.7 | +41 ± 103 | 0.105 |
| Choline/betaine ratio | 0.33 ± 0.09 | 0.30 ± 0.08 | / | / | 0.010 |
| Choline/TMAO ratio | 3.08 ± 1.26 | 2.48 ± 1.69 | / | / | 0.025 |
| SAM, nmol/L | 100 ± 17 | 99 ± 16 | −1 ± 7 | −0.6 ± 7.2 | 0.561 |
| SAH, nmol/L | 17.0 ± 4.9 | 16.1 ± 6.7 | −1 ± 5.2 | −4.2 ± 37.0 | 0.465 |
| Glucose, mmol/L | 5.39 ± 0.44 | 4.98 ± 0.35 | −0.41 ± 0.32 | −7.3 ± 5.8 | <0.001 |
| Cholesterol, mmol/L | 5.52 ± 0.95 | 5.57 ± 0.99 | +0.05 ± 0.19 | +1 ± 3 | 0.251 |
| Triglycerides, mmol/L | 1.27 ± 0.59 | 2.53 ± 1.32 | +1.26 ± 0.84 | +101 ± 60 | <0.001 |
Data are mean ± SD. N = 18 individuals participated in this test. 1 DeltaOFTT = (concentrations post OFTT − fasting concentrations before OFTT). 2 Percentage change from baseline = (concentrations post OFTT − concentrations at baseline) × 100/baseline concentrations. 3 p values are according to paired t-test. 4 The low detection limit (LOD) for trimethylamine in plasma is 0.12 µmol/L. 5 TMAO concentrations were log-transformed before applying t-test. Conversion factors to SI units: glucose 1 mmol/L = 18.02 mg/dL; cholesterol 1 mmol/L = 38.61 mg/dL; triglycerides 1 mmol/L = 88.5 mg/dL. The baseline levels are the fasting levels. OFTT, oral fat tolerance test; TMAO, trimethylamine N-oxide.