A study on the relationship between cheese intake and caries occurrence based on Mendelian randomization method.

Area of Science:

• Nutritional Epidemiology
• Genetics
• Oral Health

Background:

• Dental caries is a prevalent global health issue.
• Dietary factors, including cheese consumption, are implicated in caries development.
• Understanding the causal relationship is crucial for public health recommendations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the potential causal link between cheese intake and dental caries occurrence.
• Utilize a robust genetic epidemiology approach to assess this relationship.
• Provide evidence-based insights into the role of cheese in oral health.

Main Methods:

• Employed a two-sample Mendelian randomization (TSMR) method.
• Utilized genome-wide association study (GWAS) data for cheese intake (exposure) and dental caries (outcome).
• Selected single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) as instrumental variables and applied inverse variance weighting (IVW) and other methods for analysis.

Main Results:

• Identified 44 SNPs associated with cheese intake.
• The IVW method indicated that cheese intake is associated with a reduced risk of dental caries (OR=1.00, P=0.039).
• Sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of the causal effect and found no significant horizontal pleiotropy.

Conclusions:

• The findings support a protective role of cheese consumption against dental caries.
• Appropriate cheese intake may contribute to reduced caries occurrence.
• This genetic study provides evidence for a causal effect of cheese on oral health.