Causal Relationship between Dietary-Derived Antioxidants and Erectile Dysfunction: A Mendelian Randomization Study

Area of Science:

• Nutritional Science
• Genetics
• Urology

Background:

• Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common condition with multifactorial causes.
• A potential link between dietary antioxidants and ED exists, but causal relationships are not well-established.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the causal relationship between dietary-derived antioxidants and ED.
• Utilize Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis for genetic prediction.

Main Methods:

• Bidirectional two-sample MR analysis was performed.
• Inverse variance-weighted analysis with random effects was the primary method.
• Sensitivity analyses included heterogeneity, pleiotropy, and leave-one-out tests for robustness.

Main Results:

• Elevated plasma vitamin A levels showed a significant causal relationship with ED (OR: 3.44, p=0.019).
• A reverse causal association was found between ED and carotene levels (OR: 0.97, p=0.04).
• The association between vitamin A and ED remained significant after adjusting for smoking status.

Conclusions:

• Specific causal links between dietary antioxidants, particularly vitamin A, and ED were identified.
• Findings support understanding ED pathogenesis and developing dietary interventions.
• Results inform clinical treatment strategies for ED.