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Association between gut microbiota and postpartum depression: A bidirectional Mendelian randomization study
Yonghao Sun1, Cuifang Fan2, Di Lei2
1Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Research, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.
Backgrounds:
Empirical investigations have shown an association between gut microbiota and postpartum depression (PPD); nevertheless, the precise cause-and-effect relationship between these two variables remains ambiguous. This research aimed to examine the possible reciprocal causal relationship between the gut microbiota and PPD.
Methods:
In this work, we used Mendelian randomization (MR) to analyze the relationship between the gut microbiota (n = 18,340) and PPD (n = 67,205). We obtained the relevant SNPs from publicly accessible genome-wide association studies (GWAS). The SNP estimations were combined by the inverse-variance weighted (IVW) method, including sensitivity analyses such as weighted median, MR Egger, and MR Pleiotropy Residual Sum and Outlier (PRESSO).
Results:
We have identified strong correlations between six bacterial characteristics and the likelihood of developing PPD. Our research revealed that the genus Ruminococcaceae UCG010, the family Veillonellaceae, and the class Clostridia had a beneficial effect on preventing PPD. The class Alphaproteobacteria, genus Slackia, and order NB1n were found to have a significant negative impact on PPD. The sensitivity studies conducted on these bacterial features consistently confirmed these finding.
Limitations:
It is crucial to acknowledge that our study was conducted just within a European society, which may restrict its applicability to other groups.
Conclusions:
The findings from our MR investigation indicate a potential causal relationship between certain kinds of gut bacteria and PPD. Additional investigation is required to elucidate the influence of gut microbiota on the advancement of PPD.
Insights
This study explored the gut microbiota
Area of Science:
- Microbiome Research
- Mental Health Studies
- Genetic Epidemiology
Background:
- An association exists between gut microbiota and postpartum depression (PPD), but the causal link is unclear.
- Previous empirical studies suggest a connection, necessitating further investigation into the directionality of this relationship.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential reciprocal causal relationship between gut microbiota composition and postpartum depression (PPD).
- To identify specific bacterial taxa associated with the risk or protection against PPD.
Main Methods:
- Utilized Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis on large-scale genome-wide association study (GWAS) data.
- Included 18,340 gut microbiota samples and 67,205 PPD cases.
- Employed inverse-variance weighted (IVW) method and sensitivity analyses (weighted median, MR Egger, PRESSO) for robust results.
Main Results:
- Identified six bacterial characteristics significantly correlated with PPD risk.
- Found protective effects on PPD from Ruminococcaceae UCG010, Veillonellaceae, and Clostridia.
- Indicated detrimental effects on PPD from Alphaproteobacteria, Slackia, and NB1n, confirmed by sensitivity analyses.
Conclusions:
- The MR analysis suggests a potential causal role for specific gut bacteria in the development of PPD.
- Findings highlight specific bacterial taxa that may influence PPD risk.
- Further research is needed to fully understand the gut microbiota's impact on PPD.
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