Evaluation of Trimethylamine N-Oxide (TMAO) Levels in Blunt Thoracic Trauma: An Experimental Study

Abstract

Background/Aims: Thoracic traumas cause life-threatening problems ranging from lung contusion to multiorgan injuries, while acute lung injury (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) are common complications of traumatic injuries. It is important to establish a biochemical marker to determine the severity of blunt thoracic trauma and to follow the inflammatory process. To measure serum Trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) levels and to investigate the diagnostic value of this metabolite in a low, medium, and high energy blunt thoracic trauma model in rabbits. Material and methods: In this study, 27 New Zealand rabbits were divided four groups [control, low energy trauma group, medium energy trauma group, and high energy trauma group]. Blood samples were obtained at 1st, 12th and 24th hour after thoracic trauma. Results: There has been a statistically significant difference found both within groups and between groups for TMAO (p<0.0001). Conclusions: TMAO levels are particularly elevated in the first hour following trauma, decreasing at 12 and 24 hours compared to the first hour (in the medium and high energy trauma groups). This information could potentially serve as an indicator of both the severity and timing of trauma. In blunt thoracic trauma-induced ALI created by applying different energy levels, TMAO levels varied among groups and were associated with both the timing and severity of the trauma. These findings support the suggestion that TMAO levels could be valuable in assessing the prognosis of trauma and monitoring the inflammatory process.