Mendelian randomization analysis reveals potential causal relationships between serum lipid metabolites and prostate cancer risk.

BACKGROUND

Prostate cancer is a common malignancy in men, with its pathogenesis not yet fully elucidated. Recent years have seen increased attention on the relationship between lipid metabolism abnormalities and prostate cancer risk. This study aims to explore the potential causal relationships between serum lipid metabolites and prostate cancer risk using Mendelian randomization methods.

METHODS

This study employed Mendelian randomization methods to analyze the relationship between various serum lipid metabolites (including phosphatidylcholines, phosphatidylethanolamines, phosphatidylinositols, etc.) and prostate cancer risk using GWAS datasets from the UK Biobank. The research analyzed data from 182,625 participants of European descent, including 9132 prostate cancer cases and 173,493 controls. Multiple statistical methods were used for analysis, including inverse variance weighted method, MR Egger regression method, and weighted median approach. Results were presented through forest plots, funnel plots, and scatter plots.

RESULTS

The study found that most serum lipid metabolites likely do not have strong causal relationships with prostate cancer risk. However, some metabolites showed weak associations: phosphatidylethanolamine (16:0_20:4) levels demonstrated a weak negative correlation with prostate cancer risk, while phosphatidylinositol (18:0_20:4) levels showed a weak positive correlation. The consistency of results across most analytical methods enhanced the reliability of these findings.

CONCLUSION

This study provides important insights into the complex relationship between serum lipid metabolites and prostate cancer risk. Although most lipid metabolites may not be strong determinants of prostate cancer risk, certain specific metabolites may have weak associations.