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Updated: Jul 22, 2026

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Multiple reports on the causal relationship between various chronic pain and gut microbiota: a two-sample Mendelian

Yuxin Cai1,2, Shuyang Wen1,2,3, Jinjing Hu1,2

  • 1Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.

Frontiers in Neuroscience
|May 2, 2024
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

This study reveals a causal link between gut microbiota and chronic pain. Specific gut bacteria and metabolites influence pain risk, offering new insights into pain mechanisms.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiome research
  • Genetics
  • Pain medicine

Background:

  • The connection between gut microbiota and chronic pain is suggested but not fully understood.
  • Investigating the causal relationship requires advanced analytical methods.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the potential causal relationship between gut microbiota and chronic pain at 12 specific locations.
  • To identify specific microbial taxa and metabolites associated with pain risk.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized UK Biobank and FinnGen GWAS data for pain information.
  • Categorized gut microbiota at multiple taxonomic levels (phylum to genus).
  • Performed Mendelian Randomization (MR) analysis to infer causality.

Main Results:

  • Identified direct links between gut microbiota genetic susceptibility and pain at 12 sites.
  • Serotonin (5-HT) and Glycine associated with higher extremity pain risk.
  • Bifidobacteriaceae family linked to lower migraine risk; Oxalobacter genus linked to increased low back pain risk.

Conclusions:

  • MR analysis confirmed a causal relationship between gut microbiota and pain.
  • Findings highlight the microbiota's role in pain mechanisms and clinical implications.
Keywords:
Mendelian randomizationchronic paingeneticsgut microbiotasingle-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs)

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