1. Aminotransferases as causal factors for metabolic syndrome: A bidirectional Mendelian randomization study.
- Author
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Lingyu, Meng, Hongguang, Li, Mingdong, Zhang, Na, Li, and Yahui, Liu
- Subjects
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AMINOTRANSFERASES , *METABOLIC syndrome , *ALANINE aminotransferase , *ASPARTATE aminotransferase , *GENOME-wide association studies , *TYPE 2 diabetes , *HYPERTENSION risk factors - Abstract
Background: Circulating aminotransferases (ALT and AST) have been used as biomarkers for liver injury. The causal relationships between aminotransferases and metabolic syndrome remain ambiguous. Methods: We conducted bidirectional and multivariable Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses between aminotransferases and traits related to metabolic syndrome using genetic variants obtained from genome-wide association studies (GWASs). MR-PRESSO tests were adopted to remove outliers and eliminate pleiotropy. MR steiger tests were conducted to ensure the correct direction of the causal effects. Results: Both aminotransferases were risk factors for essential hypertension. ALT is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes. The bidirectional causal relationship between ALT and hyperglycemia, serum lipids, and obesity was demonstrated. The effect of fasting glucose on AST was demonstrated, while type 2 diabetes did not affect AST. The effect of HDL-C on ALT and the effect of triglycerides on AST were found in multivariable MR analyses. Conclusions: Our bidirectional MR analyses suggest that ALT and AST are causally associated with several metabolic syndrome-related traits, especially hypertension and type 2 diabetes. These findings highlight the potential role of aminotransferases as biomarkers and therapeutic targets for metabolic syndrome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
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