Systematic review and Meta-Analysis of Mendelian randomisation analyses of Abdominal aortic aneurysms

No Causal Association Between Inguinal Hernia and Aortic Aneurysm Using Mendelian Randomization Analysis

Aortic aneurysm (AA) is a serious disease that affects the aging population worldwide. Potential risk or associated factors, such as inguinal hernia, have been suggested by conventional studies. In the present study, summary statistics data for the associations of inguinal hernia were derived from a large genome-wide association study including 18,791 inguinal hernia cases and 93,955 controls in the UK Biobank. Corresponding data of AA were extracted from FinnGen, comprising 7603 cases and 317,899 controls in Finland. The causal association was assessed using Mendelian Randomization-Egger, weighted median, and inverse variance weighting methods, and compared with observational estimates previously published. Our analysis found no convincing causal effect between genetically predicted inguinal hernia and the risk of AA (odds ratio [OR] = 1.05, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.85-1.31, P = .65), abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA, OR = 1.15, 95% CI = 0.92-1.46, P = .22), and thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA, OR = 1.05, 95% CI = 0.85-1.30, P = .67). The results are in contrast to previous observational evidence suggesting a potentially common causal association between inguinal hernia and AA. Further research is needed to better understand the interplay between risk factors and their impact on aneurysm development.

Metabolic syndrome and the risk of abdominal aortic aneurysm: A nationwide cohort study

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The association between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) remains unclear. We investigated the potential association between AAA and MetS and its components in a large population-based cohort.

METHODS

We used the Korean National Health Insurance Service database including 4,162,640 participants aged ≥50 years who received a routine health examination in 2009. Cox proportional hazards models were used to analyze the association between MetS and its components (elevated waist circumference, blood pressure, glucose, triglycerides, and reduced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-C]) with AAA incidence, with adjustment for confounders.

RESULTS

During a median 9.4 years of follow-up, 18,160 participants developed incident AAA. MetS was associated with an increased risk of AAA compared to the non-MetS group (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 1.38; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.34-1.43). Among the individual components, elevated waist circumference, blood pressure, triglycerides, and reduced HDL-C were associated with increased AAA risk, while elevated glucose alone was associated with reduced AAA risk (aHR, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.82-0.87). AAA risk also increased linearly with the increasing number of MetS components, with the highest risk found in the presence of all 5 components (aHR, 1.98, 95% CI, 1.83-2.15).

CONCLUSIONS

MetS and its individual components, with the exclusion of elevated glucose, were associated with higher risk of AAA. Further studies are warranted to elucidate the association between MetS and AAA.

Cromolyn prevents cerebral vasospasm and dementia by targeting WDR43

Background

Cerebral vasospasm (CV) can cause inflammation and damage to neuronal cells in the elderly, leading to dementia.

Purpose

This study aimed to investigate the genetic mechanisms underlying dementia caused by CV in the elderly, identify preventive and therapeutic drugs, and evaluate their efficacy in treating neurodegenerative diseases.

Methods

Genes associated with subarachnoid hemorrhage and CV were acquired and screened for differentially expressed miRNAs (DEmiRNAs) associated with aneurysm rupture. A regulatory network of DEmiRNAs and mRNAs was constructed, and virtual screening was performed to evaluate possible binding patterns between Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drugs and core proteins. Molecular dynamics simulations were performed on the optimal docked complexes. Optimally docked drugs were evaluated for efficacy in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases through cellular experiments.

Results

The study found upregulated genes (including WDR43 and THBS1) and one downregulated gene associated with aneurysm rupture. Differences in the expression of these genes indicate greater disease risk. DEmiRNAs associated with ruptured aortic aneurysm were identified, of which two could bind to THBS1 and WDR43. Cromolyn and lanoxin formed the best docking complexes with WDR43 and THBS1, respectively. Cellular experiments showed that cromolyn improved BV2 cell viability and enhanced Aβ42 uptake, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic agent for inflammation-related disorders.

Conclusion

The findings suggest that WDR43 and THBS1 are potential targets for preventing and treating CV-induced dementia in the elderly. Cromolyn may have therapeutic value in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease and dementia.