Multiomics Mendelian Randomization Reveals Causal Oxidative Stress Genes in Androgenetic Alopecia

Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) has now become a common disorder, yet treatment options remain relatively limited. Smoking, alcohol consumption, and coffee drinking have become habitual, and it is widely believed that these lifestyle factors contribute to AGA. Similarly, as researchers have reported, oxidative stress-related multiomics genes are reviewed as risk factors for AGA, which have been proven to be related to the lifestyles mentioned earlier. However, current research suggests that the link between these factors and AGA is still unclear. To address this, we performed a series of Mendelian randomization analyses on the lifestyle factors mentioned earlier and oxidative stress-related multiomics genes, identifying 12 expression quantitative trait loci genes and 21 protein quantitative trait loci genes with causal associations. The analysis revealed that the ORs for these 33 loci were greater than 1, indicating a positive association with AGA. On the basis of these findings, we inferred potential therapeutic drugs for AGA. This study explores the pathogenic mechanisms of AGA, confirms the complexity of its risk factors as a polygenic disease, and provides causally associated evidence to guide future research into the mechanisms underlying AGA development. This study provides potential therapeutic targets for the development of new drugs for AGA.