Fish Odor Syndrome: New Findings

Fish odor syndrome or trimethylaminuria is a condition in which the liver cannot break down the smelly chemical trimethylamine (TMA).

The chemical is produced by bacterial enzymes residing in the gut leaving people with an unpleasant fish-like odor.

Fish-Odor Syndrome (Trimethylaminuria)
If someone has a body odor that resembled rotten fish, chances are that the person might actually be suffering form a genetic disorder called trimethylaminuria or “fish –odor syndrome.”

‘Fish odor syndrome or trimethylaminuria has no cure. The unpleasant smell affects the breath, sweat, and vaginal fluids.’

Tweet it Now

University of Warwick researchers have stabilized and inhibited the enzyme that produces TMA. The study findings pave the way for new drugs to treat fish odor syndrome.

Cause of Fish Odor Syndrome

The syndrome is caused when CntA/B (enzyme pathway in the gut) produces TMA; the process happens when the enzyme breaks down a TMA precursor called L-Carnitine, found in dairy, fish, and meat.

New Insight into Odor Producing Rare Genetic Disease
Study identifies mutations in many other genes that could possibly contribute to trimethylaminuria.

If a person lacks the functional liver enzyme called FMO3, they cannot degrade TMA into a non-smelly chemical form, TMAO (trimethylamine oxide). The TMA then builds up in the body and ends up in bodily fluids.

In the study published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry, researchers have focused on the CntA protein of the CntA/B enzyme, to stabilize and study it.

Halitosis / Oral Malodor / Bad Breath - Causes - Diagnosis - Treatment - FAQ's
Halitosis is an embarrassing condition that affects a person’s self confidence. It is usually caused by bad oral hygiene.

The research group was able to gain insight into how CntA perceives its L-Carnitine substrate, with a 3D crystal structure model.

By studying the complete electron transfer pathway, scientists could see how the protein can turnover TMA.

Zinc Oxide Reduces Body Odor
Zinc oxide was found to reduce body odor caused by bacteria and aids wound healing.

There are grounds for further research into the future discovery of drugs targeting the TMA-producing enzyme in the human gut.

The lead researcher, Dr Mussa Quareshy, from the School of Life Sciences at the University of Warwick comments: "We have identified novel, drug-like inhibitors which can inhibit CntA function and thus TMA formation with the potential to attenuate TMA formation in the gut microbiome. This is vital not only for people who have fish odour syndrome, but also because TMA can accelerate atherosclerosis and heart disease, therefore it's urgency to be targeted by drugs is rather significant."

Source-Medindia