Causal relationship between gut microbiota and metabolic syndrome: A bidirectional Mendelian randomization study

Area of Science:

• Microbiome research
• Metabolic disorders
• Genetics

Background:

• Metabolic syndrome (MetS) pathogenesis is complex and not fully understood.
• The link between gut microbiota and MetS is recognized but causality is unclear.
• Gut microbiota plays a role in host metabolism and disease development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the causal relationship between gut microbiota and MetS using Mendelian randomization (MR).
• To identify specific gut bacteria associated with MetS risk and its components.
• To provide evidence for novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for MetS.

Main Methods:

• A 2-sample Mendelian randomization analysis was conducted.
• Summary statistics for gut microbiota were obtained from the MiBioGen consortium.
• MetS and component data were sourced from UK Biobank, IEU Open GWAS, and MAGIC consortia.
• Inverse variance weighted, MR-Egger, and weighted median methods were employed, with sensitivity analyses.

Main Results:

• Eight out of 211 gut microbiota were significantly associated with MetS risk.
• Lachnospiraceae, Veillonellaceae, Victivallaceae, Odoribacter, and Olsenella may increase MetS risk.
• Bifidobacteriaceae, Ruminococcaceae UCG-010, and Actinobacteria may decrease MetS risk.
• Several microbiota showed associations with MetS components like BMI, hypertension, and blood lipids.

Conclusions:

• This is the first MR study to suggest a potential causal link between specific gut microbiota and MetS.
• Findings offer new insights into MetS pathogenesis.
• Results support the development of gut microbiota-based prevention and treatment strategies for MetS.