Relationship between gut microbiota and thyroid function: a two-sample Mendelian randomization study

Area of Science:

• Genetics and Microbiology
• Endocrinology
• Human Health

Background:

• Observational studies suggest a link between gut microbiota and thyroid function.
• The exact causal relationship between gut microbiota and thyroid function remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the causal relationship between gut microbiota composition and thyroid function using Mendelian randomization.
• To identify specific gut microbial taxa that may serve as biomarkers for thyroid disorders.

Main Methods:

• Utilized two-sample Mendelian randomization with genome-wide association study data from 18,340 participants.
• Analyzed 211 microbial taxa and 4 thyroid-related phenotypes (thyroid hormones, TSH, hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism).
• Employed multiple statistical methods and sensitivity analyses to ensure result robustness.

Main Results:

• Identified 34 gut microbiota taxa associated with thyroid function.
• Phylum *Actinobacteria* showed a protective effect against hypothyroidism (OR=0.883, P=0.002).
• Class *Deltaproteobacteria* demonstrated a protective effect against hyperthyroidism (OR=0.549, P=0.002).

Conclusions:

• Specific gut microbial taxa have a genetically predicted causal relationship with thyroid function.
• These identified taxa could potentially serve as biomarkers for early diagnosis of thyroid diseases.