Association between gut microbiota and adrenal disease: a two-sample Mendelian randomized study

Area of Science:

• Microbiome research
• Endocrinology
• Genetics

Background:

• Observational studies suggest a link between gut microbiota and metabolic diseases.
• Causal relationships between gut microbiota and adrenal diseases (Adrenocortical insufficiency, Cushing syndrome, Hyperaldosteronism) are not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the causal effects of gut microbiota on three major adrenal diseases using Mendelian randomization.
• To identify specific microbial taxa associated with the risk or protection of adrenal diseases.

Main Methods:

• Two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis utilizing large-scale genome-wide association study data for gut microbiota (MiBioGen Consortium) and adrenal diseases (FinnGen study).
• Employed Inverse Variance Weighting (IVW), MR-Egger, and MR-PRESSO methods.
• Performed reverse Mendelian randomization and assessed heterogeneity using Cochran's Q statistic.

Main Results:

• Deltaproteobacteria, Desulfovibrionaceae, and Desulfovibrionales showed protective effects against Adrenocortical insufficiency.
• Porphyromonadaceae, Lachnoclostridium, and MollicutesRF9 were linked to increased Adrenocortical insufficiency risk.
• Acidaminococcaceae protected against Cushing syndrome.
• Methanobacteria, Lactobacillus, and related taxa protected against Hyperaldosteronism, while Parasutterella, Peptococcus, and Veillonella increased risk.

Conclusions:

• Established causal links between specific gut microbial taxa (e.g., Deltaproteobacteria, Desulfovibrionaceae) and Adrenocortical insufficiency, Cushing syndrome, and Hyperaldosteronism.
• Findings provide novel insights into the gut microbiota's role in adrenal disease pathogenesis.
• Suggests potential for microbiome-targeted interventions in managing adrenal disorders.