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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 19, 2025

Microbiota Analysis Using Two-step PCR and Next-generation 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing

Microbiota Analysis Using Two-step PCR and Next-generation 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing

Published on: October 15, 2019

Gut microbiota and intervertebral disc degeneration: a bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization study.

Ziming Geng¹, Jian Wang¹, Guangdong Chen²

¹Department of Spine Surgery, Tianjin Hospital, Tianjin University, No. 406 Jiefang South Rd, Hexi District, Tianjin, 300211, China.

Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research

|August 14, 2023

Summary

Certain gut bacteria, like Bacteroidetes, may increase the risk of intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD). This study used Mendelian randomization to explore the causal link between gut microbiota and IVDD, finding a significant association. Further research can target these microbes for prevention.

Keywords:

Causal relationship FinnGen Gut microbiota Intervertebral disc degeneration Low back pain Mendelian randomization MiBioGen

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Last Updated: Jul 19, 2025

Microbiota Analysis Using Two-step PCR and Next-generation 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing

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Published on: October 15, 2019

A Proinflammatory, Degenerative Organ Culture Model to Simulate Early-Stage Intervertebral Disc Disease.

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Published on: February 14, 2021

An In Vitro Organ Culture Model of the Murine Intervertebral Disc

An In Vitro Organ Culture Model of the Murine Intervertebral Disc

Published on: April 11, 2017

Area of Science:

Microbiome research
Genetics
Orthopedics

Background:

The relationship between gut microbiota (GM) and intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) is suggested but not fully understood.
A causal link between specific gut bacteria and IVDD risk requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the potential causal relationship between gut microbiota and intervertebral disc degeneration using a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) approach.
To identify specific gut microbial taxa that may influence the risk of developing IVDD.

Main Methods:

Utilized summary data from genome-wide association studies for gut microbiota (MiBioGen) and IVDD (FinnGen).
Employed the inverse variance weighted (IVW) method as the primary MR analysis, with weighted median, MR-Egger, and other methods for robustness.
Assessed horizontal pleiotropy using MR-Egger regression and MR-PRESSO, and evaluated heterogeneity with Cochran's Q test. Sensitivity analyses included leave-one-out and reverse MR.

Main Results:

Identified nine gut microbial taxa causally associated with IVDD.
The phylum Bacteroidetes showed a significant association with increased IVDD risk (FDR-corrected P = 0.0365).
No significant heterogeneity or horizontal pleiotropy was detected, and sensitivity analyses confirmed the reliability of the findings. Reverse MR analysis found no evidence of IVDD affecting gut microbiota.

Conclusions:

The study provides evidence for a potential causal impact of specific gut microbiota taxa on intervertebral disc degeneration.
These findings offer new insights into the mechanisms underlying gut microbiota's role in IVDD.
The results lay the foundation for developing targeted preventive strategies for IVDD based on gut microbial composition.