Daniel J. Battillo, a doctoral student in the AMP lab, was recently awarded runner up from the Non-Invasive Physiology Group at the American College of Sports Medicine for his research efforts. The title of his study was: Trimethylamine N-oxide Metabolism Relates to Fasting and Insulin-Stimulated Hemodynamics in Metabolic Syndrome. Co-authors were Tristan J. Ragland, Mary-Margaret E. Remchak, Emily H. Heiston, Anna Ballantyne, and Dr. Steven K. Malin.
The work highlights that metabolites released from the gut (i.e. gastrointestinal system) may influence how well the heart pumps blood against the arteries. Importantly, this work highlights that pre-cursors of the metabolite, Trimethylamine N-oxide in particular, are also related to the ability of insulin to reduce load on the heart as well as potentially influence blood flow to the bodily tissues for nutrient delivery. Fitness was shown to be a factor influencing this relationship. Additional work is underway to better understand how lifestyle influences gut-derived metabolites in relation to insulin sensitivity.