The authors demonstrate that the gut microbe-derived metabolite trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) induces cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis via TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling, suggesting that inhibition of gut microbes or generation of TMAO may become a potential target for the prevention and treatment of cardiac hypertrophy.
- Zehua Li
- Zhiye Wu
- Minsheng Chen
