Fig. 3: Serum TMAO (trimethylamine N-oxide) is higher and more variable in mice receiving frankfurter diet, yet TMAO precursor metabolites are not similarly affected.

Serum levels of TMAO (at 56 days), typically formed from choline, betaine, and carnitines were significantly higher in mice receiving frankfurter-containing chow. Levels of choline and betaine did not differ between groups. Mice consuming any meat-containing chow had higher levels of carnitine, acetylcarnitine, and propionylcarnitine. Control samples are shown in red (n = 9), minced pork in dark blue (n = 10), nitrite-free sausage in light blue (n = 9), and frankfurter (nitrite-containing) in green (n = 10). Data shown are violin plots containing individual samples values with the median and quartile values represented as dotted lines.