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Phenylacetylglutamine

Meaning

Phenylacetylglutamine (PAG) is a specific, measurable microbial-derived metabolite produced within the gut from the breakdown of the essential amino acid phenylalanine by certain commensal bacteria. This compound is a known uremic toxin that is subsequently transported to the liver and kidneys for conjugation and eventual clearance from the body. Clinically, elevated serum levels of PAG are increasingly recognized as a key biomarker strongly associated with intestinal dysbiosis, compromised kidney function, and a significantly increased risk of adverse cardiovascular events, underscoring the vital nature of the gut-kidney-cardiovascular axis.