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Tao Y, Wang Y, Yin Y, Zhang K, Gong Y, Ying H, Jiang R. Associations of lipids and lipid-modifying drug target genes with atrial fibrillation risk based on genomic data. Lipids Health Dis 2024; 23:175. [PMID: 38851763 PMCID: PMC11161942 DOI: 10.1186/s12944-024-02163-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 05/25/2024] [Indexed: 06/10/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The causal associations of lipids and the drug target genes with atrial fibrillation (AF) risk remain obscure. We aimed to investigate the causal associations using genetic evidence. METHODS Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses were conducted using summary-level genome-wide association studies (GWASs) in European and East Asian populations. Lipid profiles (low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglyceride, and lipoprotein[a]) and lipid-modifying drug target genes (3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase, proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9, NPC1-like intracellular cholesterol transporter 1, apolipoprotein C3, angiopoietin-like 3, and lipoprotein[a]) were used as exposures. AF was used as an outcome. The inverse variance weighted method was applied as the primary method. Summary-data-based Mendelian randomization analyses were performed for further validation using expression quantitative trait loci data. Mediation analyses were conducted to explore the indirect effect of coronary heart disease. RESULTS In the European population, MR analyses demonstrated that elevated levels of lipoprotein(a) increased AF risk. Moreover, analyses focusing on drug targets revealed that the genetically proxied target gene LPA, which simulates the effects of drug intervention by reducing lipoprotein(a), exhibited an association with AF risk. This association was validated in independent datasets. There were no consistent and significant associations observed for other traits when analyzed in different datasets. This finding was also corroborated by Summary-data-based Mendelian randomization analyses between LPA and AF. Mediation analyses revealed that coronary heart disease plays a mediating role in this association. However, in the East Asian population, no statistically significant evidence was observed to support these associations. CONCLUSIONS This study provided genetic evidence that Lp(a) may be a causal factor for AF and that LPA may represent a promising pharmacological target for preventing AF in the European population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuhang Tao
- Department of Cardiology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, 3 East Qingchun Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310016, P.R. China
| | - Yuxing Wang
- Department of Cardiology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, 3 East Qingchun Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310016, P.R. China
| | - Yongkun Yin
- Department of Cardiology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, 3 East Qingchun Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310016, P.R. China
| | - Kai Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, 3 East Qingchun Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310016, P.R. China
| | - Yingchao Gong
- Department of Cardiology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, 3 East Qingchun Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310016, P.R. China
| | - Hangying Ying
- Department of Cardiology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, 3 East Qingchun Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310016, P.R. China
| | - Ruhong Jiang
- Department of Cardiology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, 3 East Qingchun Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310016, P.R. China.
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Chan II, Wu AM. Assessing the Role of Cortisol in Anxiety, Major Depression, and Neuroticism: A Mendelian Randomization Study Using SERPINA6/ SERPINA1 Variants. BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY GLOBAL OPEN SCIENCE 2024; 4:100294. [PMID: 38525495 PMCID: PMC10959652 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsgos.2024.100294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2023] [Revised: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 02/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Previous evidence informed by the toxic stress model suggests that higher cortisol causes anxiety and major depression, but clinical success is lacking. To clarify the role of cortisol, we used Mendelian randomization to estimate its associations with anxiety, major depression, and neuroticism, leveraging the largest available genome-wide association studies including from the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium, the UK Biobank, and FinnGen. Methods After meta-analyzing 2 genome-wide association studies on morning plasma cortisol (n = 32,981), we selected single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at p < 5 × 10-8 and r2 < 0.3 in the SERPINA6/SERPINA1 gene region encoding proteins that influence cortisol bioavailability. We applied these SNPs to summary genetic associations with the outcomes considered (n = 17,310-449,484), and systolic blood pressure as a positive outcome, using inverse-variance weighted meta-analysis accounting for correlation. Sensitivity analyses addressing SNP correlation and confounding by childhood maltreatment and follow-up analyses using only SNPs that colocalized with SERPINA6 expression were conducted. Results Cortisol was associated with anxiety (pooled odds ratio [OR] 1.16 per cortisol z score; 95% CI, 1.04 to 1.31), but not major depression (pooled OR 1.02, 95% CI, 0.95 to 1.10) or neuroticism (β -0.025; 95% CI, -0.071 to 0.022). Sensitivity analyses yielded similar estimates. Cortisol was positively associated with systolic blood pressure, as expected. Using rs9989237 and rs2736898, selected using colocalization, cortisol was associated with anxiety in the UK Biobank (OR 1.32; 95% CI, 1.01 to 1.74) but not with major depression in FinnGen (OR 1.14; 95% CI, 0.95 to 1.37). Conclusions Cortisol was associated with anxiety and may be a potential target for prevention. Other targets may be more relevant to major depression and neuroticism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Io Ieong Chan
- Department of Public Health and Medicinal Administration, Faculty of Health Science, University of Macau, Macao, China
- Centre for Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Institute of Collaborative Innovation, University of Macau, Macao, China
| | - Anise M.S. Wu
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Macau, Macao, China
- Centre for Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Institute of Collaborative Innovation, University of Macau, Macao, China
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Yan Z, Xu Y, Li K, Liu L. Association between genetically proxied lipid-lowering drug targets, lipid traits, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a mendelian randomization study. Acta Neurol Belg 2024; 124:485-494. [PMID: 37889424 DOI: 10.1007/s13760-023-02393-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The use of circulating lipid traits as biomarkers to predict the risk of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is currently controversial, and the evidence-based medical evidence for the use of lipid-lowering agents, especially statins, on ALS risk remains insufficient. Our aim was to apply a Mendelian randomization (MR) approach to assess the causal impact of lipid-lowering agents and circulating lipid traits on ALS risk. MATERIALS AND METHODS Our study included primary and secondary analyses, in which the risk associations of lipid-lowering gene inhibitors, lipid traits, and ALS were assessed by the inverse variance weighting method as the primary approach. The robustness of the results was assessed using LDSC assessment, conventional MR sensitivity analysis, and used Mediating MR to explore potential mechanisms of occurrence. In the secondary analysis, the association of lipid-lowering genes with ALS was validated using the Summary data-based Mendelian Randomization (SMR) method. RESULTS Our results showed strong evidence between genetic proxies for Apolipoprotein B (ApoB) inhibitor (OR = 0.76, 95% CI = 0.68 - 0.86; P = 5.58 × 10-6) and reduced risk of ALS. Additionally, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase (HMGCR) inhibitor (OR = 1.06, 95% CI = 0. 85-1.33) was not found to increase ALS risk. SMR results suggested that ApoB expression was associated with increased ALS risk, and colocalization analysis did not support a significant common genetic variation between ApoB and ALS. Mediator MR analysis suggested a possible mediating role for interleukin-6 and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). While elevated LDL-C was significantly associated with increased risk of ALS among lipid traits, total cholesterol (TC) and ApoB were weakly associated with ALS. LDSC results suggested a potential genetic correlation between these lipid traits and ALS. CONCLUSIONS Using ApoB inhibitor can lower the risk of ALS, statins do not trigger ALS, and LDL-C, TC, and ApoB levels can predict the risk of ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaoqi Yan
- Graduate School, Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Yangming Road, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Yifeng Xu
- Graduate School, Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Yangming Road, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Keke Li
- Graduate School, Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Yangming Road, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Liangji Liu
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 445 Bayi Dadao, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China.
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Dong H, Xu F, Linghu E. Unraveling the link between plasma caffeine concentrations and inflammatory bowel disease risk through Mendelian randomization. Am J Clin Nutr 2024; 119:711-715. [PMID: 38211690 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajcnut.2024.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/13/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Caffeine is believed to possess anti-inflammatory properties, yet direct population-based evidence regarding its impact on inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) remains scarce. OBJECTIVES In this study, we used 2-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) study to investigate the causal relationship between long-term plasma caffeine concentrations and IBD and its subtypes, ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn disease (CD). METHODS We used single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with plasma caffeine concentrations at genome-wide significance within a ±100-kb range around the CYP1A2 or AHR genes as instrumental variables. Genome-wide association study (GWAS) data for IBD and its subtypes were obtained from FinnGen and International Inflammatory Bowel Disease Genetics Consortium. We conducted a meta-analysis of MR-related SNPs from both sources and used a multiplicative inverse variance-weighted random effects model to combine the effects of each SNP proxy on exposure to outcomes. RESULTS In our study, genetically predicted higher plasma caffeine concentrations were associated with a lower risk of IBD, with an odds ratio (OR) of 0.78 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.66, 0.91; PFDR = 0.004). This trend was also observed in UC and CD, with ORs of 0.79 (95% CI: 0.66, 0.94; PFDR = 0.014) and 0.78 (95% CI: 0.62, 0.98; PFDR = 0.032), respectively. CONCLUSION Our study indicates a potential causal link between genetically predicted higher plasma caffeine concentrations and a reduced risk of IBD, including its subtypes UC and CD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Dong
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Fang Xu
- Clinical Medical Laboratory Center, Taizhou People's Hospital, Taizhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Enqiang Linghu
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China.
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Su Q, Wang R, Luo Y, Tang Q, Wang K. Genetic association of lipid-lowering drug target genes with erectile dysfunction and male reproductive health. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2024; 15:1362499. [PMID: 38390206 PMCID: PMC10881712 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1362499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective The effect of hypolipidemic drugs on male erectile function is still controversial. This Mendelian randomization (MR) study aimed to explore the potential impact of lipid-lowering drug targets on ED. Methods We collected seven genetic variants encoding lipid-lowering drug targets (LDLR, HMGCR, NPC1L1, PCSK9, APOB, APOC3 and LPL) from published genome-wide association study (GWAS) statistics, and performed drug target MR analysis. The risk of ED was defined as the primary outcome, sex hormone levels and other diseases as the secondary outcomes. Mediation analyses were performed to explore potential mediating factors. Results The results showed that LDLR, LPL agonists and APOC3 inhibitors were significantly associated with a reduced risk of ED occurrence. APOB inhibitors were associated with an increased risk of ED occurrence. In terms of sex hormone levels, LDLR and LPL agonists were significantly associated with increased TT levels, and HMGCR was associated with decreased TT and BT levels significantly. In terms of male-related disease, MR results showed that LDLR agonists and PCSK9 inhibitors were significantly associated with an elevated risk of PH; HMGCR, NPC1L1 inhibitors were associated with a reduced risk of PCa; and LDLR agonists were significantly associated with a reduced risk of AS and MI; in addition, HMGCR inhibitors were associated with a reduced risk of PCa. Conclusion After performing drug-targeted MR analysis, we found that that there was a causal relationship between lipid-lowering drug targets and ED. APOC3, APOB, LDLR and LPL may be new candidate drug targets for the treatment of ED.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quanxin Su
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, China
| | - Rui Wang
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, China
| | - Yayin Luo
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, China
| | - Qizhen Tang
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, China
| | - Kenan Wang
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, China
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Woolf B, Rajasundaram S, Cronjé HT, Yarmolinsky J, Burgess S, Gill D. A drug target for erectile dysfunction to help improve fertility, sexual activity, and wellbeing: mendelian randomisation study. BMJ 2023; 383:e076197. [PMID: 38086555 PMCID: PMC10716676 DOI: 10.1136/bmj-2023-076197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the association of genetically proxied (using a surrogate biomarker) inhibition of phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5), an established drug target for erectile dysfunction, with fertility, sexual behaviour, and subjective wellbeing. DESIGN Two sample cis-mendelian randomisation study. SETTING Summary data on genetic associations obtained from the International Consortium for Blood Pressure and UK Biobank. PARTICIPANTS Individuals of European ancestry from the International Consortium for Blood Pressure (n=757 601) for estimating PDE5 inhibition (using the surrogate biomarker of diastolic blood pressure reduction), and UK Biobank (n=211 840) for estimating the fertility, sexual behaviour, and subjective wellbeing outcomes in male participants. INTERVENTION Genetically proxied PDE5 inhibition. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Number of children fathered, number of sexual partners, probability of never having had sexual intercourse, and subjective wellbeing. RESULTS Genetically proxied PDE5 inhibition was associated with male participants having 0.28 (95% confidence interval 0.16 to 0.39) more children (false discovery rate corrected P<0.001). This association was not identified in female participants. No evidence was found of an association between genetically proxied PDE5 inhibition and number of sexual partners, probability of never having had sexual intercourse, or self-reported wellbeing in male participants. CONCLUSIONS The findings of this study provide genetic support for PDE5 inhibition potentially increasing the number of children fathered by male individuals. Absence of this association in female participants supports increased propensity for sustained and robust penile erections as a potential underlying mechanism. Further studies are required to confirm this, however, and these findings should not promote indiscriminate use of PDE5 inhibitors, which can also have harmful adverse effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Woolf
- School of Psychological Science, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TU, UK
- Medical Research Council Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Medical Research Council Biostatistics Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Skanda Rajasundaram
- Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Héléne T Cronjé
- Department of Public Health, Section of Epidemiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - James Yarmolinsky
- Medical Research Council Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Stephen Burgess
- Medical Research Council Biostatistics Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Dipender Gill
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
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Allayee H, Farber CR, Seldin MM, Williams EG, James DE, Lusis AJ. Systems genetics approaches for understanding complex traits with relevance for human disease. eLife 2023; 12:e91004. [PMID: 37962168 PMCID: PMC10645424 DOI: 10.7554/elife.91004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Quantitative traits are often complex because of the contribution of many loci, with further complexity added by environmental factors. In medical research, systems genetics is a powerful approach for the study of complex traits, as it integrates intermediate phenotypes, such as RNA, protein, and metabolite levels, to understand molecular and physiological phenotypes linking discrete DNA sequence variation to complex clinical and physiological traits. The primary purpose of this review is to describe some of the resources and tools of systems genetics in humans and rodent models, so that researchers in many areas of biology and medicine can make use of the data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hooman Allayee
- Departments of Population & Public Health Sciences, University of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesUnited States
- Biochemistry & Molecular Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesUnited States
| | - Charles R Farber
- Center for Public Health Genomics, University of Virginia School of MedicineCharlottesvilleUnited States
- Departments of Biochemistry & Molecular Genetics, University of Virginia School of MedicineCharlottesvilleUnited States
- Public Health Sciences, University of Virginia School of MedicineCharlottesvilleUnited States
| | - Marcus M Seldin
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California, IrvineIrvineUnited States
| | - Evan Graehl Williams
- Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine, University of LuxembourgLuxembourgLuxembourg
| | - David E James
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of SydneyCamperdownAustralia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of SydneyCamperdownAustralia
- Charles Perkins Centre, University of SydneyCamperdownAustralia
| | - Aldons J Lusis
- Departments of Human Genetics, University of California, Los AngelesLos AngelesUnited States
- Medicine, University of California, Los AngelesLos AngelesUnited States
- Microbiology, Immunology, & Molecular Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine of UCLALos AngelesUnited States
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Li Z, Wang M, Hua M, Wang Z, Ying Y, Zhang Z, Zeng S, Wang H, Xu C. Association between testosterone and cancers risk in women: a two-sample Mendelian randomization study. Discov Oncol 2023; 14:198. [PMID: 37924384 PMCID: PMC10625503 DOI: 10.1007/s12672-023-00811-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 11/06/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Previous observational studies have explored the correlation between testosterone and cancer risk. However, the causal association between testosterone and various cancer types in women remains inconclusive. The objective of this Mendelian randomization study is to evaluate the causal links between total testosterone (TT) and bioavailable testosterone (BT) with cancer risk in females. METHODS Initially, a rigorous quality control process was employed to identify suitable instrumental single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with the exposure under investigation that exhibited a significant association. The genetic causal relationship between female testosterone levels and the risk of developing cancers was examined through a two-sample Mendelian randomization. Various analytical methods, including inverse-variance weighted (IVW), MR-Egger, weighted median, simple mode, and weighted mode, were applied in the investigation. Key findings were primarily based on the results obtained via IVW (random effects), and sensitivity analyses were conducted to assess the reliability of the obtained results. Furthermore, maximum likelihood, penalized weighted median, and IVW (fixed effects) methods were utilized to further validate the robustness of the results. RESULTS Based on the results of IVW analysis, our study indicated a positive causal relationship between BT and breast cancer (OR = 1.1407, 95%CI: 1.0627-1.2244, P = 0.0015) and endometrial cancer (OR = 1.4610, 95%CI: 1.2695-1.6813, P = 1.22E-06). Moreover, our findings also showed a positive causal association between TT and breast cancer (OR = 1.1764, 95%CI: 1.0846-1.2761, P = 0.0005), cervical cancer(OR = 1.0020, 95%CI: 1.0007-1.0032, P = 0.0077), and endometrial cancer(OR = 1.4124, 95%CI: 1.2083-1.6511, P = 0.0001). Additionally, our results demonstrated a negative causal relationship between BT and ovarian cancer (OR = 0.8649, 95%CI: 0.7750-0.9653, P = 0.0320). However, no causal relationship was found between BT, TT and other types of cancer (corrected P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS This study elucidates the role of testosterone on the development of breast cancer, endometrial cancer, ovarian cancer, and cervical cancer. It also hints at a potential but fragile link between testosterone and bladder cancer, as well as thyroid cancer. Nonetheless, it's worth noting that no statistically significant relationship between testosterone and various other types of cancer in females was identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhizhou Li
- Department of Urology, Shanghai Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Maoyu Wang
- Department of Urology, Shanghai Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Meimian Hua
- Department of Urology, Shanghai Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ziwei Wang
- Department of Urology, Shanghai Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yidie Ying
- Department of Urology, Shanghai Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhensheng Zhang
- Department of Urology, Shanghai Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shuxiong Zeng
- Department of Urology, Shanghai Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Huiqing Wang
- Department of Urology, Shanghai Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Chuanliang Xu
- Department of Urology, Shanghai Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China.
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Yan Z, Xu Y, Li K, Liu L. Association between genetically proxied HMGCR inhibition and male reproductive health: A Mendelian randomization study. Medicine (Baltimore) 2023; 102:e34690. [PMID: 37773823 PMCID: PMC10545124 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000034690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The causal associations between statin use and male sex hormone levels and related disorders have not been fully understood. In this study, we employed Mendelian randomization for the first time to investigate these associations. METHODS In two-sample Mendelian randomization framework, genetic proxies for hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase (HMGCR) inhibition were identified as variants in the HMGCR gene that were associated with both levels of gene expression and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). We assessed the causal relationship between HMGCR inhibitor and 5 sex hormone levels/2 male-related diseases. Additionally, we investigated the association between 4 circulating lipid traits and outcomes. The "inverse variance weighting" method was used as the primary approach, and we assessed for potential heterogeneity and pleiotropy. In a secondary analysis, we revalidated the impact of HMGCR on 7 major outcomes using the summary-data-based Mendelian randomization method. RESULTS Our study found a significant causal association between genetic proxies for HMGCR inhibitor and decreased levels of total testosterone (TT) (LDL-C per standard deviation = 38.7mg/dL, effect = -0.20, 95% confidence interval [CI] = -0.25 to -0.15) and bioavailable testosterone (BT) (effect = -0.15, 95% CI = -0.21 to -0.10). Obesity-related factors were found to mediate this association. Furthermore, the inhibitor were found to mediate a reduced risk of prostate cancer (odds ratio = 0.81, 95%CI = 0.7-0.93) by lowering bioavailable testosterone levels, without increasing the risk of erectile dysfunction (P = .17). On the other hand, there was a causal association between increased levels of LDL-C, total cholesterol, triglycerides (TG) and decreased levels of TT, sex hormone-binding globulin, and estradiol. CONCLUSIONS The use of HMGCR inhibitor will reduce testosterone levels and the risk of prostate cancer without the side effect of erectile dysfunction. LDL-C, total cholesterol, and TG levels were protective factors for TT, sex hormone-binding globulin, and estradiol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaoqi Yan
- Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Graduate School, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Yifeng Xu
- Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Graduate School, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Keke Li
- Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Graduate School, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Liangji Liu
- Affiliated Hospital of Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Pneumology Department, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
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Li Z, Zhang B, Liu Q, Tao Z, Ding L, Guo B, Zhang E, Zhang H, Meng Z, Guo S, Chen Y, Peng J, Li J, Wang C, Huang Y, Xu H, Wu Y. Genetic association of lipids and lipid-lowering drug target genes with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. EBioMedicine 2023; 90:104543. [PMID: 37002989 PMCID: PMC10070091 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2023.104543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Revised: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Some observational studies found that dyslipidaemia is a risk factor for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and lipid-lowering drugs may lower NAFLD risk. However, it remains unclear whether dyslipidaemia is causative for NAFLD. This Mendelian randomisation (MR) study aimed to explore the causal role of lipid traits in NAFLD and evaluate the potential effect of lipid-lowering drug targets on NAFLD. METHODS Genetic variants associated with lipid traits and variants of genes encoding lipid-lowering drug targets were extracted from the Global Lipids Genetics Consortium genome-wide association study (GWAS). Summary statistics for NAFLD were obtained from two independent GWAS datasets. Lipid-lowering drug targets that reached significance were further tested using expression quantitative trait loci data in relevant tissues. Colocalisation and mediation analyses were performed to validate the robustness of the results and explore potential mediators. FINDINGS No significant effect of lipid traits and eight lipid-lowering drug targets on NAFLD risk was found. Genetic mimicry of lipoprotein lipase (LPL) enhancement was associated with lower NAFLD risks in two independent datasets (OR1 = 0.60 [95% CI 0.50-0.72], p1 = 2.07 × 10-8; OR2 = 0.57 [95% CI 0.39-0.82], p2 = 3.00 × 10-3). A significant MR association (OR = 0.71 [95% CI, 0.58-0.87], p = 1.20 × 10-3) and strong colocalisation association (PP.H4 = 0.85) with NAFLD were observed for LPL expression in subcutaneous adipose tissue. Fasting insulin and type 2 diabetes mediated 7.40% and 9.15%, respectively, of the total effect of LPL on NAFLD risk. INTERPRETATION Our findings do not support dyslipidaemia as a causal factor for NAFLD. Among nine lipid-lowering drug targets, LPL is a promising candidate drug target in NAFLD. The mechanism of action of LPL in NAFLD may be independent of its lipid-lowering effects. FUNDING Capital's Funds for Health Improvement and Research (2022-4-4037). CAMS Innovation Fund for Medical Sciences (CIFMS, grant number: 2021-I2M-C&T-A-010).
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Department of Cardiology, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Disease, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Bin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Department of Cardiology, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Disease, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Qingrong Liu
- Department of Cardiology, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Disease, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Zhihang Tao
- State Key Laboratory for Oncogenes and Related Genes, Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ministry of Health, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Shanghai Institute of Digestive Disease, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lu Ding
- Department of Endocrinology, Key Laboratory of Endocrinology, Ministry of Health, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Bo Guo
- Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Erli Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Disease, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Haitong Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, the Third-Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhen Meng
- Department of Cardiology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Shuai Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Department of Cardiology, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Disease, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Yang Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Department of Cardiology, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Disease, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Jia Peng
- Department of Cardiology, the First-Affiliated Hospital, Xiangya Hospital Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Jinyue Li
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Epidemiology & Department of Epidemiology, State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Can Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Department of Cardiology, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Disease, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Yingbo Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Haiyan Xu
- Department of Cardiology, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Disease, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
| | - Yongjian Wu
- Department of Cardiology, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Disease, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
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11
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Yoshiji S, Butler-Laporte G, Lu T, Willett JDS, Su CY, Nakanishi T, Morrison DR, Chen Y, Liang K, Hultström M, Ilboudo Y, Afrasiabi Z, Lan S, Duggan N, DeLuca C, Vaezi M, Tselios C, Xue X, Bouab M, Shi F, Laurent L, Münter HM, Afilalo M, Afilalo J, Mooser V, Timpson NJ, Zeberg H, Zhou S, Forgetta V, Farjoun Y, Richards JB. Proteome-wide Mendelian randomization implicates nephronectin as an actionable mediator of the effect of obesity on COVID-19 severity. Nat Metab 2023; 5:248-264. [PMID: 36805566 PMCID: PMC9940690 DOI: 10.1038/s42255-023-00742-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023]
Abstract
Obesity is a major risk factor for Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) severity; however, the mechanisms underlying this relationship are not fully understood. As obesity influences the plasma proteome, we sought to identify circulating proteins mediating the effects of obesity on COVID-19 severity in humans. Here, we screened 4,907 plasma proteins to identify proteins influenced by body mass index using Mendelian randomization. This yielded 1,216 proteins, whose effect on COVID-19 severity was assessed, again using Mendelian randomization. We found that an s.d. increase in nephronectin (NPNT) was associated with increased odds of critically ill COVID-19 (OR = 1.71, P = 1.63 × 10-10). The effect was driven by an NPNT splice isoform. Mediation analyses supported NPNT as a mediator. In single-cell RNA-sequencing, NPNT was expressed in alveolar cells and fibroblasts of the lung in individuals who died of COVID-19. Finally, decreasing body fat mass and increasing fat-free mass were found to lower NPNT levels. These findings provide actionable insights into how obesity influences COVID-19 severity.
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Grants
- C18281/A29019 Cancer Research UK
- 365825 CIHR
- 409511 CIHR
- 100558 CIHR
- 169303 CIHR
- The Richards research group is supported by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR: 365825, 409511, 100558, 169303), the McGill Interdisciplinary Initiative in Infection and Immunity (MI4), the Lady Davis Institute of the Jewish General Hospital, the Jewish General Hospital Foundation, the Canadian Foundation for Innovation, the NIH Foundation, Cancer Research UK, Genome Québec, the Public Health Agency of Canada, McGill University, Cancer Research UK [grant number C18281/A29019] and the Fonds de Recherche Québec Santé (FRQS). J.B.R. is supported by an FRQS Mérite Clinical Research Scholarship. Support from Calcul Québec and Compute Canada is acknowledged. TwinsUK is funded by the Welcome Trust, Medical Research Council, European Union, the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR)-funded BioResource, Clinical Research Facility and Biomedical Research Centre based at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust in partnership with King’s College London. S.Y. is supported by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science. T.L. has been supported by a Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship, an FRQS doctoral training fellowship, and a McGill University Faculty of Medicine Studentship. These funding agencies mentioned above had no role in the design, implementation, or interpretation of this study.
- MEXT | Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)
- Gouvernement du Canada | Instituts de Recherche en Santé du Canada | CIHR Skin Research Training Centre (Skin Research Training Centre)
- Fonds de Recherche du Québec-Société et Culture (FRQSC)
- Cancer Research UK (CRUK)
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Affiliation(s)
- Satoshi Yoshiji
- Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
- Kyoto-McGill International Collaborative Program in Genomic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
- Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Guillaume Butler-Laporte
- Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Tianyuan Lu
- Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
- Quantitative Life Sciences Program, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
- 5 Prime Sciences, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Julian Daniel Sunday Willett
- Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
- Quantitative Life Sciences Program, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Chen-Yang Su
- Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Computer Science, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Tomoko Nakanishi
- Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
- Kyoto-McGill International Collaborative Program in Genomic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
- Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Tokyo, Japan
| | - David R Morrison
- Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Yiheng Chen
- Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Kevin Liang
- Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
- Quantitative Life Sciences Program, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Michael Hultström
- Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
- Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Department of Surgical Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
- Integrative Physiology, Department of Medical Cell Biology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Yann Ilboudo
- Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Zaman Afrasiabi
- Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Shanshan Lan
- Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Naomi Duggan
- Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Chantal DeLuca
- Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Mitra Vaezi
- Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Chris Tselios
- Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Xiaoqing Xue
- Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Meriem Bouab
- Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Fangyi Shi
- Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Laetitia Laurent
- Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
| | | | - Marc Afilalo
- Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Jonathan Afilalo
- Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
- Division of Cardiology, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Vincent Mooser
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
- McGill Genome Centre, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
| | | | - Hugo Zeberg
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Sirui Zhou
- Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
- McGill Genome Centre, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Vincenzo Forgetta
- Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
- 5 Prime Sciences, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Yossi Farjoun
- Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
| | - J Brent Richards
- Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada.
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada.
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada.
- 5 Prime Sciences, Montréal, Quebec, Canada.
- Department of Twin Research, King's College London, London, UK.
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12
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Larsson SC, Woolf B, Gill D. Appraisal of the causal effect of plasma caffeine on adiposity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease: two sample mendelian randomisation study. BMJ MEDICINE 2023; 2:1-8. [PMID: 36936261 PMCID: PMC9978685 DOI: 10.1136/bmjmed-2022-000335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 03/15/2023]
Abstract
Objective To investigate the potential causal effects of long term plasma caffeine concentrations on adiposity, type 2 diabetes, and major cardiovascular diseases. Design Two sample mendelian randomisation study. Setting Genome-wide association study summary data for associations of two single nucleotide polymorphisms associated with plasma caffeine at the genome-wide significance threshold (rs2472297 near the CYP1A2 gene and rs4410790 near the AHR gene) and their association with the outcomes. Participants Primarily individuals of European ancestry participating in cohorts contributing to genome-wide association study consortia. Main outcome measures Outcomes studied were body mass index, whole body fat mass, whole body fat-free mass, type 2 diabetes, ischaemic heart disease, atrial fibrillation, heart failure, and stroke. Results Higher genetically predicted plasma caffeine concentrations were associated with lower body mass index (beta -0.08 standard deviation (SD) (95% confidence interval -0.10 to -0.06), where 1 SD equals about 4.8 kg/m2 in body mass index, for every standard deviation increase in plasma caffeine) and whole body fat mass (beta -0.06 SD (-0.08 to -0.04), 1 SD equals about 9.5 kg; P<0.001) but not fat-free mass (beta -0.01 SD (-0.02 to -0.00), 1 SD equals about 11.5 kg; P=0.17). Higher genetically predicted plasma caffeine concentrations were associated with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes in two consortia (FinnGen and DIAMANTE), with a combined odds ratio of 0.81 ((95% confidence interval 0.74 to 0.89); P<0.001). Approximately half (43%; 95% confidence interval 30% to 61%) of the effect of caffeine on type 2 diabetes was estimated to be mediated through body mass index reduction. No strong associations were reported between genetically predicted plasma caffeine concentrations and a risk of any of the studied cardiovascular diseases. Conclusions Higher plasma caffeine concentrations might reduce adiposity and risk of type 2 diabetes. Further clinical study is warranted to investigate the translational potential of these findings towards reducing the burden of metabolic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanna C Larsson
- Unit of Cardiovascular and Nutritional Epidemiology, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Benjamin Woolf
- School of Psychological Science, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- Medical Research Council Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Dipender Gill
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Chief Scientific Advisor Office, Research and Early Development, Novo Nordisk, Copenhagen, Denmark
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