Lee, Chi-wai. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1999. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 124-145). / Abstract also in Chinese. / Declaration --- p.i / Acknowledgements --- p.ii / Abstract --- p.iii / 槪要 --- p.v / Contents --- p.vii / List of Figures --- p.xi / List of Tables --- p.xiv / List of Abbreviations --- p.xvi / Chapter Chapter 1 --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- Overview of pharmacogenetics --- p.2 / Chapter 1.2 --- Clinical importance of nitrogen oxidations --- p.8 / Chapter 1.3 --- Characteristics of trimethylamine (TMA) --- p.9 / Chapter 1.4 --- Genetic polymorphism of trimethylamine N-oxidation --- p.12 / Chapter 1.5 --- Enzyme systems mediating trimethylamine N-oxidation --- p.15 / Chapter 1.6 --- Aims and objectives --- p.19 / Chapter Chapter 2 --- Development of an Analytical Method for Trimethylamine & Trimethylamine N-Oxide --- p.20 / Chapter 2.1 --- Introduction --- p.21 / Chapter 2.2 --- Materials --- p.26 / Chapter 2.3 --- Methods --- p.27 / Chapter 2.3.1 --- Preparation of stock solutions --- p.27 / Chapter 2.3.2 --- Preparation of GLC glass column --- p.28 / Chapter 2.3.3 --- Optimizing GLC conditions for the separation of trimethylamine --- p.29 / Chapter 2.3.4 --- Sample pretreatment for GLC analysis --- p.29 / Chapter 2.3.5 --- Construction of calibration curve --- p.31 / Chapter 2.3.6 --- Determination of the required amounts of titanium (III) chloride for trimethylamine N-oxide reduction --- p.31 / Chapter 2.3.7 --- Intra- and inter-assay variations --- p.31 / Chapter 2.3.8 --- "Equations used in the determinations of free TMA, total TMA, and percentage TMA excreted as TMAO" --- p.32 / Chapter 2.3 --- Results --- p.33 / Chapter 2.3.1 --- GLC chromatogram --- p.33 / Chapter 2.3.2 --- Construction of calibration curve --- p.33 / Chapter 2.3.3 --- Determination of the required amounts of titanium (III) chloride for trimethylamine N-oxide reduction --- p.33 / Chapter 2.3.4 --- Intra- and inter-assay variations --- p.37 / Chapter 2.4 --- Discussion --- p.37 / Chapter Chapter 3 --- Trimethylamine N-Oxidation in Chinese --- p.41 / Chapter 3.1 --- Introduction --- p.42 / Chapter 3.2 --- Experimental protocols --- p.43 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Whole day urine collections --- p.43 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Spot urine collections --- p.44 / Chapter 3.3 --- Results --- p.44 / Chapter 3.3.1 --- Whole day urine collections --- p.44 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- Spot urine collections --- p.46 / Chapter 3.3.3 --- Comparison between whole day urine collections and spot urine collections protocols --- p.50 / Chapter 3.3.4 --- Comparison between smokers and non-smokers --- p.52 / Chapter 3.3.5 --- Comparison the results obtained in between four individual periods of whole day urine collections --- p.52 / Chapter 3.4 --- Discussion --- p.56 / Chapter Chapter 4 --- Effect of Age and Diet on Trimethylamine N-oxidation --- p.64 / Chapter 4.1 --- Introduction --- p.65 / Chapter 4.2 --- Experimental protocols --- p.73 / Chapter 4.2.1 --- Effect of age on TMA N-oxidation --- p.73 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- Effect of diet on TMA N-oxidation --- p.73 / Chapter 4.2.3 --- Effects of control diet on TMA N-oxidation --- p.75 / Chapter 4.3 --- Results --- p.76 / Chapter 4.3.1 --- Effect of age on TMA N-oxidation --- p.76 / Chapter 4.3.2 --- Effect of diet on TMA N-oxidation --- p.80 / Chapter 4.3.3 --- Effects of control diet on TMA N-oxidation --- p.83 / Chapter 4.4 --- Discussion --- p.89 / Chapter Chapter 5 --- Effect of Disease on Trimethylamine N-Oxidation --- p.101 / Chapter 5.1 --- Introduction --- p.102 / Chapter 5.2 --- Experimental protocols --- p.108 / Chapter 5.3 --- Results --- p.109 / Chapter 5.4 --- Discussion --- p.116 / Chapter Chapter 6 --- General Discussion --- p.119 / References --- p.124 / Appendices / Chapter Appendix A / Chapter A.1 --- Sample record sheet for food intake and activity (English) --- p.A-l / Chapter A.2 --- Sample record sheet for food intake and activity (Chinese) --- p.A-3 / Chapter Appendix B --- Food intake and activity record for volunteer Ain controlled diet experiment --- p.B-1