Project description:BackgroundSeveral recent investigations have posited that distinct metabolites in the bloodstream may be correlated with the pathogenesis of Pulmonary Hypertension (PH). Nonetheless, the interrelationship between the pathogenesis of PH and metabolite fluctuations remains incompletely elucidated, and findings may differ across studies.MethodsIn the extant research, data from 486 metabolite-and PH-related genetic variants in human subjects were procured based on Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS) and Finnish databases. Univariate Mendelian Randomization analyses were deployed to evaluate the causal relationships between them. The utilization of the randomized Inverse Variance weighted(IVW) method served as the primary analytic framework in this Mendelian Randomization (MR) study. Additionally, four alternative computational strategies, encompassing MR-Egger, were employed as auxiliary methods. A myriad of tests, including Cochran's Q Test, MR-Egger intercept test, MR-PRESSO, leave-one-out analysis, and linkage disequilibrium score were incorporated to assess the robustness of the study outcomes. Metabolite pathway analysis was also executed to identify potential metabolic pathways.ResultsAfter a series of validations and corrected for False discovery rate (FDR), we found a significant association between 1,5-anhydroglucitol (OR = 2.00, 95% CI: 1.39-2.89, P = 0.0002) and PH, and a significant association between pyridoxalate (OR = 0.59, 95% CI: 0.43-0.81, P = 0.0009) and 1-a achidonoylglycerophosphocholine (OR = 1.78, 95% CI: 1.22-2.58, P = 0.0026) had a suggested association with PH. In addition, the vitamin B6 metabolic pathway was also determined to be associated with PH.ConclusionConclusively, we isolated 1,5-anhydroglucitol, 1-arachidonoylglycerophosphocholine, and pyridoxate as causally implicated in PH, thereby proffering substantial theoretical substantiation for the formulation of future PH prevention and screening paradigms.
Project description:Background and aimsThe aim is to investigate the cause-and-effect connection between metabolites found in blood/urine and the likelihood of developing periodontal disease (PD) through the utilization of a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) method.MethodsUsing an inverse variance weighted (IVW) method and two additional two-sample MR models, we examined the relationship between blood/urine metabolites and PD by analyzing data from a comprehensive metabolome-based genome-wide association study and the Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS) of PD. To assess the consistency and dependability of the findings, diversity, cross-effects, and sensitivity analyses were conducted.ResultsOut of the 35 metabolites found in blood and urine, a total of eight metabolites (C-reactive protein, Potassium in urine, Urea, Cystatin C, Non-albumin protein, Creatinine, estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate, and Phosphate) displayed a possible causal connection with the risk of dental caries/PD using the inverse variance weighted (IVW) method (p < 0.05). This includes five metabolites in the blood and three in the urine. No metabolites were statistically significant in IVW MR models (p < 3.68 × 10- 4). Even after conducting sensitivity analysis with the leave-one-out method and removing the confounding instrumental variables, the impact of these factors on dental caries/PD remained significant.ConclusionBased on the available evidence, it is not possible to establish a significant causal link between the 35 blood metabolites and the likelihood of developing dental caries and PD.
Project description:Background: Currently, it is unclear whether there is a causal association between genetically predicted plasma homocysteine (Hcy) levels and the risk of sarcopenia. We performed a Mendelian randomization (MR) study to assess the association between circulating Hcy levels and the components [grip strength, walking pace, and appendicular lean mass (ALM)] of sarcopenia. Methods: Independent single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) significantly associated with plasma Hcy levels served as instrumental variables. Summary-level data regarding the components of sarcopenia. Were obtained from the UK Biobank. Inverse variance weighted (IVW) as the primary method was used for Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis. We also use four models, weighted median, MR-Egger regression, Maximum likelihood, and Penalised weighted median, as supplementary methods to IVW. The MR-Egger intercept test, Cochran's Q test, and "leave-one-out" sensitivity analysis were performed to evaluate the horizontal pleiotropy, heterogeneities, and stability of the causal association between Hcy levels and the components of sarcopenia. Results: The IVW-MR analysis suggested significant negative associations of increased plasma Hcy levels with grip strength (right: effect = -0.036, SE = 0.032, p = 5.53E-4; left: effect = -0.045, SE = 0.010, p = 1.45E-5), walking pace (effect = -0.038, SE = 0.011, p = 3.18E-4), and ALM (effect = -0.058, 0.013, p = 1.03E-5). However, there were no significant associations of decreased plasma Hcy levels with grip strength (right: effect = 0.005, SE = 0.021, p = 0.82; left: effect = -0.006, SE = 0.014, p = 0.64), walking pace (effect = 0.01, 0.020, p = 0.61), or ALM (effect = -0.034, SE = 0.018, p = 0.06).The accuracy and robustness of these findings were confirmed by sensitivity tests. Conclusion: Increased circulating Hcy levels were associated with lower grip strength, slower walking pace, and decreased ALM.
Project description:BackgroundGlioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a highly aggressive primary malignant brain tumor characterized by rapid progression, poor prognosis, and high mortality rates. Understanding the relationship between cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) metabolites and GBM is crucial for identifying potential biomarkers and pathways involved in the pathogenesis of this devastating disease.MethodsIn this study, Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was employed to investigate the causal relationship between 338 CSF metabolites and GBM. The data for metabolites were obtained from a genome-wide association study summary dataset based on 291 individuals, and the GBM data was derived from FinnGen included 91 cases and 174,006 controls of European descent. The Inverse Variance Weighted method was utilized to estimate the causal effects. Supplementary comprehensive assessments of causal effects between CSF metabolites and GBM were conducted using MR-Egger regression, Weighted Median, Simple Mode, and Weighted Mode methods. Additionally, tests for heterogeneity and pleiotropy were performed.ResultsThrough MR analysis, a total of 12 identified metabolites and 2 with unknown chemical properties were found to have a causal relationship with GBM. 1-palmitoyl-2-stearoyl-gpc (16:0/18:0), 7-alpha-hydroxy-3-oxo-4-cholestenoate, Alpha-tocopherol, Behenoyl sphingomyelin (d18:1/22:0), Cysteinylglycine, Maleate, Uracil, Valine, X-12,101, X-12,104 and Butyrate (4:0) are associated with an increased risk of GBM. N1-methylinosine, Stachydrine and Succinylcarnitine (c4-dc) are associated with decreased GBM risk.ConclusionIn conclusion, this study sheds light on the intricate interplay between CSF metabolites and GBM, offering novel perspectives on disease mechanisms and potential treatment avenues. By elucidating the role of CSF metabolites in GBM pathogenesis, this research contributes to the advancement of diagnostic capabilities and targeted therapeutic interventions for this aggressive brain tumor. Further exploration of these findings may lead to improved management strategies and better outcomes for patients with GBM.
Project description:BackgroundGut microbiota imbalance and sarcopenia are frequently observed in older adults. Gut microbiota and their metabolites are considered risk factors contributing to the heightened risk of sarcopenia, but whether these associations are causal remains unclear.MethodsWe conducted linkage disequilibrium score regression and 2-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) methods with single-nucleotide polymorphisms sourced from large-scale genome-wide association studies as instrumental variables to examine the causal associations linking gut microbiota with their metabolites to the sarcopenia. Following the MR analysis, subsequent sensitivity analyses were conducted to reinforce the robustness and credibility of the obtained results.ResultsMR analysis yielded compelling evidence demonstrating the correlation between genetically predicted gut microbiota and metabolites and the risk of sarcopenia. The abundance of Porphyromonadaceae, Rikenellaceae, Terrisporobacter, and Victivallis was found to be associated with walking pace. Our study also found suggestive associations of 12 intestinal bacteria with appendicular lean mass, and of Streptococcaceae, Intestinibacter, Paraprevotella, Ruminococcaceae UCG009, and Sutterella with grip strength. Specifically, we identified 21 gut microbiota-derived metabolites that may be associated with the risk of sarcopenia.ConclusionsUtilizing a 2-sample MR approach, our study elucidates the causal interplay among gut microbiota, gut microbiota-derived metabolites, and the occurrence of sarcopenia. These findings suggest that gut microbiota and metabolites may represent a potential underlying risk factor for sarcopenia, and offer the promise of novel therapeutic focal points.
Project description:Previous observational studies have shown an association between inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and sarcopenia. However, the causal relationship between IBD (including ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease) and sarcopenia remains unclear. Thus, this study investigated whether genetically predicted IBD play a function in the occurrence of sarcopenia using Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis. This study used independent single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) significantly associated with IBD as instrument variables (IVs). Sarcopenia-related components (hand grip strength, walking space, and appendicular lean mass (ALM)) were investigated as outcome factors, with summary-level data regarding these components of sarcopenia obtained from the UK Biobank. The IVW-MR analysis revealed that there were significant negative associations between IBD and hand grip strength (both left and right) as well as ALM. Besides, the results of IVW-MR analysis provided strong evidence of a causal relationship between genetically predicted Crohn's disease and hand grip strength and ALM. However, there were no significant associations found between ulcerative colitis and sarcopenia-related traits. Sensitivity tests confirmed the accuracy and robustness of the above MR analysis. Conclusions: Our MR analysis showed the causal effect of Crohn's disease on hand grip strength and ALM. This suggests that Crohn's disease may be a potential risk factor for sarcopenia.
Project description:To investigate the causal relationship between obesity and meniscal injuries using Mendelian randomization (MR). Genetic loci independently associated with obesity and meniscal injuries in people of European origin were selected as instrumental variables using pooled data from genome-wide association studies. Three MR analyses, MR-Egger, weighted median and inverse variance weighting, were used to investigate the causal relationship between obesity and meniscal injuries. The results were tested for robustness by heterogeneity and multiplicity tests, and sensitivity analyses were performed using the "leave-one-out" method. The inverse variance weighting results showed an OR (95% CI) of 1.13 (1.04-1.22), P = .003, indicating a causal relationship between obesity and the occurrence of meniscal injuries. And no heterogeneity and multiplicity were found by the test and sensitivity analysis also showed robust results. In this study, genetic data were analyzed and explored using 2-sample MR analysis, and the results showed that obesity is a risk factor for meniscal injuries.
Project description:To investigate the causal relationship between attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and frozen shoulder using Mendelian randomization (MR). Data were pooled from large-scale genome wide association studies, and genetic loci that were independent of each other and associated with ADHD and frozen shoulder in people of European ancestry were selected as instrumental variables. Three MR analyses, inverse variance weighting, weighted median and MR-Egger, were used to investigate the causal relationship between ADHD and frozen shoulder. Heterogeneity and multiplicity tests were used, and sensitivity analyses were performed using the "leave-one-out" method to explore the robustness of the results. The inverse variance weighting results showed an OR (95 % CI) of 1.12 (1.00-1.25), P = .046, indicating a causal relationship between ADHD and frozen shoulder. And no heterogeneity and multiplicity were found by the test and sensitivity analysis also showed robust results. The present study used a two-sample MR analysis, and by analyzing and exploring the genetic data, the study showed that ADHD is a risk factor for developing frozen shoulder, and patients with ADHD are more likely to suffer from frozen shoulder.
Project description:BackgroundIdiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is an irreversible lung disease with unclear pathological mechanisms. In this study, we utilized bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) to analyze the relationship between serum metabolites and IPF, and conducted metabolic pathway analysis.AimTo determine the causal relationship between serum metabolites and IPF using MR analysis.MethodsA two-sample MR analysis was conducted to evaluate the causal relationship between 824 serum metabolites and IPF. The inverse variance weighted (IVW) method was used to estimate the causal relationship between exposure and results. Sensitivity analysis was conducted using MR Egger, weighted median, and maximum likelihood to eliminate pleiotropy. Additionally, metabolic pathway analysis was conducted to identify potential metabolic pathways.ResultsWe identified 12 serum metabolites (6 risks and 6 protective) associated with IPF from 824 metabolites. Among them, 11 were known and 1 was unknown. 1-Eicosatrienoylglycophorophospholine and 1-myristoylglycophorophospholine were bidirectional MR positive factors, with 1-myristoylglycophorophospholine being a risk factor (1.0013, 1.0097) and 1-eicosatrienoylglycophorine being a protective factor (0.9914, 0.9990). The four lipids (1-linoleoylglycerophoethanolamine*, total cholesterol in large high-density lipoprotein [HDL], cholesterol esters in very large HDL, and phospholipids in very large HDL) and one NA metabolite (degree of unsaturation) were included in the known hazardous metabolites. The known protective metabolites included three types of lipids (carnitine, 1-linoleoylglycerophoethanolamine*, and 1-eicosatrienoylglycerophophophorine), one amino acid (hypoxanthine), and two unknown metabolites (the ratio of omega-6 fatty acids to omega-3 fatty acids, and the ratio of photoshopids to total lipids ratio in chylomicrons and extremely large very low-density lipoprotein [VLDL]). Moreover, sn-Glycerol 3-phosphate and 1-Acyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocline were found to be involved in the pathogenesis of IPF through metabolic pathways such as Glycerolide metabolism and Glycerophospholipid metabolism.ConclusionOur study identified 6 causal risks and 6 protective serum metabolites associated with IPF. Additionally, 2 metabolites were found to be involved in the pathogenesis of IPF through metabolic pathways, providing a new perspective for further understanding the metabolic pathway and the pathogenesis of IPF.