Serum uric acid and adiposity: deciphering causality using a bidirectional Mendelian randomization approach.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Although the relationship between serum uric acid (SUA) and adiposity is well established, the direction of the causality is still unclear in the presence of conflicting evidences. We used a bidirectional Mendelian randomization approach to explore the nature and direction of causality between SUA and adiposity in a population-based study of Caucasians aged 35 to 75 years.

Methods and findings

We used, as instrumental variables, rs6855911 within the SUA gene SLC2A9 in one direction, and combinations of SNPs within the adiposity genes FTO, MC4R and TMEM18 in the other direction. Adiposity markers included weight, body mass index, waist circumference and fat mass. We applied a two-stage least squares regression: a regression of SUA/adiposity markers on our instrumen

SUBMITTER: Lyngdoh T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3378571 | biostudies-literature | 2012

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature