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2000
Volume 32, Issue 12
  • ISSN: 0929-8673
  • E-ISSN: 1875-533X

Abstract

Background

Gut microbiota is associated with an increased risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) through the metabolites, which can induce atherogenesis. One of these metabolites is trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO). Some studies indicate that statins do not only decrease LDL-cholesterol and thus ASCVD risk, but they also affect gut microbiota. There are only a few studies on humans suggesting that statins might also decrease TMAO, but their results are not unanimous. This meta-analysis aimed to provide an answer as to whether statins do affect decreasing the plasma levels of atherogenic TMAO.

Methods

A systematic literature search in PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science was performed from inception to January 1st, 2023. To assess the quality of each study included in the meta-analysis, the Cochrane Quality Assessment tool 1 (ROB 1) was used. Comprehensive Meta-Analysis V3 software was used to perform the meta-analysis. The weighted mean difference was also used. A random effects meta-analysis was used to calculate the overall estimate of effect size. In the leave-one-out approach, one study was excluded from each analysis to evaluate the effect of each study on the overall effect size.

Results

Random-effects meta-analysis of 3 studies including 244 patients demonstrated a significant decrease in plasma TMAO levels after statin treatment (WMD: -1.839, 95% CI: -2.391, -1.287, <0.001; I2:0). The reduction in TMAO was robust in the leave-one-out sensitivity analysis.

Conclusion

Statins might reduce TMAO levels, but there is a need for further evidence from long-term studies taking into account different types and doses of statins.

© 2025 Bentham Science Publishers
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2025-09-30

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The Effects of Statin Therapy on Circulating Levels of Trimethylamine N-oxide: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Curr. Med. Chem. 32, 2368 (2025); https://doi.org/10.2174/0109298673245069231010065055
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  • Article Type:     Review Article
Keyword(s): atherosclerosis; cardiovascular disease; gut microbiota; metabolites; Statins; trimethylamine N-oxide

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