O-35 - Antibiotic suppression of gut flora lowers plasma TMAO -100-fold and abolishes choline-induced ~3-fold atherosclerosis and macrophage-CD36 increase in mice
Own mouse experiment; the antibiotic-dependence of both TMAO and the atherosclerosis enhancement ties the atherogenic effect to the flora-generated metabolite.
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Why this is evidence
A causal manipulation: lowering plasma TMAO ~100-fold via antibiotics completely inhibits the choline-induced 3-fold atherosclerosis. Predicted by H-15 and H-16 (TMAO on the causal path). Under H-45 (marker), removing TMAO should not remove the plaque, so this is not expected. Separates the marker pole from the mechanism poles.