Trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) is a metabolite of choline, phosphatidylcholine, and L-carnitine . It is formed by gut microbiota-mediated metabolism of choline, phosphatidylcholine, and L-carnitine to TMA followed by oxidation of TMA by flavin-containing monooxygenase 3 (FMO3) in the liver. Dietary administration of TMAO (0.12% w/w) increases renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis, collagen deposition, and Smad3 phosphorylation in mice and increases aortic lesion area in atherosclerosis-prone ApoE-/- mice. Plasma levels of TMAO are elevated in patients with chronic kidney disease and decreased in patients with active, compared with inactive, ulcerative colitis. Elevated plasma levels of TMAO are associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
Colorless to yellow solid; odorless.
Trimethylamine
N-oxide can be used:
- As a demetallationand decarbonylationreagent for organometallic compounds.
- To prepare azomethine ylide by reaction with lithium di-isopropylamide. This, in turn, may be reacted with simple alkenes to obtain corresponding pyrrolidines.
- To mediate the conversion of thiols to disulfides.
ChEBI: An N-oxide derived from triethylamine.
TrimethylamineN-oxide is an organic compound that belongs to the class of amine oxides. It is generally found in the tissues of marine organisms, wherein it helps protect them from harsh conditions like salinity, hydrostatic pressure, temperature, and high urea.
Flammability and Explosibility
Not classified
