Vitamin D levels and five cardiovascular diseases: A Mendelian randomization study

Area of Science:

• Genetics
• Epidemiology
• Nutritional Science

Background:

• Cardiovascular disease is a leading global cause of mortality.
• Vitamin D levels are associated with cardiovascular disease risk.
• The causal relationship requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the causal relationship between vitamin D levels and five major cardiovascular diseases.
• Utilizing genome-wide association study (GWAS) and Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis.

Main Methods:

• GWAS data for vitamin D levels and five cardiovascular diseases (angina pectoris, coronary heart disease, lacunar stroke, heart attack, hypertension).
• Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis using six single nucleotide polymorphisms as instrumental variables (IVs).
• Sensitivity analysis to ensure the reliability of MR results, including tests for heterogeneity and pleiotropy.

Main Results:

• A significant causal relationship was found between lower vitamin D levels and reduced risk of angina pectoris (OR=0.51), coronary heart disease (OR=0.53), and lacunar stroke (OR=0.41).
• No causal relationship was observed between vitamin D levels and the risk of heart attack (OR=1.00) or hypertension (OR=0.99).
• The MR analysis demonstrated reliability with no significant heterogeneity or pleiotropy detected.

Conclusions:

• Vitamin D levels have a causal effect on the development of angina pectoris, coronary heart disease, and lacunar stroke.
• These findings contribute to understanding cardiovascular disease etiology and prevention strategies.
• Further research can explore therapeutic interventions related to vitamin D for cardiovascular health.