Related Experiment Videos
Bilirubin and Stroke Risk Using a Mendelian Randomization Design.
Sun Ju Lee1, Yon Ho Jee2, Keum Ji Jung2
1From the Department of Public Health, Graduate School (S.J.L.), Institute for Health Promotion (K.J.J., S.H., S.H.J.), and Department of Epidemiology (S.H.J.), Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea; MRC Population Health Research Unit, Clinical Trial Service Unit and Epidemiological Studies Unit, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, United Kingdom (Y.H.J.); and DNA Link Inc, Seoul, Republic of Korea (E.S.S.). jsunha@yuhs.ac.
This study investigated if bilirubin levels causally impact stroke risk in Koreans. Mendelian randomization analysis found no evidence that bilirubin levels are causally associated with stroke risk.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Cardiovascular Epidemiology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Circulating bilirubin, a natural antioxidant, is observed to correlate with a reduced risk of stroke.
- The precise causal relationship between bilirubin levels and stroke risk remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential causal effect of serum bilirubin levels on stroke risk in the Korean population using Mendelian randomization.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a Mendelian randomization approach with 14 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with bilirubin levels.
- A weighted genetic risk score was constructed from top SNPs identified in genome-wide association studies.
- Analyzed data from the Korean Cancer Prevention Study-II (KCPS-II) Biobank, including healthy individuals and stroke cases.
Main Results:
- Genetic variants and the weighted genetic risk score were strongly associated with bilirubin levels.
- While ordinary least-squares analysis suggested an association between lower bilirubin and decreased stroke risk, Mendelian randomization revealed no causal link.
- The 2-stage least-squares Mendelian randomization analysis found no evidence of a causal relationship between serum bilirubin and stroke risk.
Conclusions:
- Bilirubin levels are not causally associated with stroke risk in the Korean population.
- Serum bilirubin level is not a determinant of stroke risk.