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Published on: February 28, 2018
Causal Effects of Gut Microbiome on Tinnitus: A Mendelian Randomization Study
Qiang Zeng1, Wei Xie2, Huaqian Dong2
1School of Nursing, Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, 550002, People's Republic of China.
Background:
Previous studies have identified a clinical association between gut microbiota (GM) and tinnitus; however, the potential causal relationship remains unclear. Therefore, we conducted a Mendelian randomization(MR) study to evaluate the potential causal effects of 412 gut microbiome features on tinnitus risk.
Methods:
In the study, we used pooled data from a genome-wide association study(GWAS) of gut microbes from a Dutch population. Summary statistics of tinnitus were drawn from the FinnGen R10 database. Inverse variance weighted, weighted median and MR-Egger were used to evaluate the potential causal link between GM and tinnitus.
Results:
The MR analysis revealed a negative association between the abundance of Parabacteroides distasonis and the risk of tinnitus (OR = 0.84, 95% CI: 0.74-0.94, p = 0.003), suggesting a potential protective role. Conversely, positive associations were observed for Eggerthella (OR = 1.11, 95% CI: 1.01-1.22, p = 0.032), Alistipes onderdonkii, and Lachnospiraceae bacterium 5-1-63FAA, all linked to increased tinnitus risk.
Conclusion:
Our findings suggest potential causal effects of specific gut microbial taxa and pathways on tinnitus, highlighting promising targets for prevention and treatment. However, further research is needed to validate these associations and clarify underlying mechanisms.
Insights
This study investigated the gut microbiome
Area of Science:
- Microbiome research
- Genetics
- Otolaryngology
Background:
- Clinical association between gut microbiota (GM) and tinnitus identified.
- Potential causal relationship between GM and tinnitus remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- Evaluate potential causal effects of 412 gut microbiome features on tinnitus risk using Mendelian randomization (MR).
Main Methods:
- Utilized pooled genome-wide association study (GWAS) data for gut microbes and tinnitus summary statistics.
- Employed inverse variance weighted, weighted median, and MR-Egger methods for causal link evaluation.
Main Results:
- Identified a negative association between *Parabacteroides distasonis* abundance and tinnitus risk (protective role).
- Observed positive associations between *Eggerthella*, *Alistipes onderdonkii*, and *Lachnospiraceae bacterium 5-1-63FAA* and increased tinnitus risk.
Conclusions:
- Findings suggest potential causal links between specific gut microbes and tinnitus.
- Highlights potential targets for tinnitus prevention and treatment, requiring further validation.
