Neurological research
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Neurological research · Feb 2020
Increasing trimethylamine N-oxide levels as a predictor of early neurological deterioration in patients with acute ischemic stroke.
Background and aims: Trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), a pro-atherosclerotic intestinal microbiota metabolite, has mechanistic links to atherosclerosis development and cardiovascular diseases. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether serum TMAO levels could predict early neurological deterioration (END) after acute ischemic stroke. Methods: We prospectively recruited patients with first-ever ischemic stroke and hospitalized within 24 h of symptoms onset during Mar 2018 to Mar 2019. ⋯ This association remained significant after controlling for confounders in multivariate logistic analysis. Multiple-adjusted spline regression model further confirmed the dose-response relationship between TMAO levels and END (P < 0.001 for linearity). Conclusions: Our study indicated that increasing TMAO levels at admission might be associated with END after acute ischemic stroke.