Mendelian randomization analysis reveals causal links between gut microbiota, serum metabolites, and aneurysm risk

The causal relationships between gut microbiota, serum metabolites, and aneurysms remain unclear. This study employed Mendelian randomization to investigate potential causal links between gut microbiota, serum metabolites, and the risk of various types of aneurysms. Data on gut microbiota, serum metabolites, and aneurysms were obtained from genome-wide association studies. Gut microbiota and serum metabolites were analyzed as exposure factors, while cerebral aneurysms, aortic aneurysms, and thoracic aortic aneurysms were evaluated as outcome variables. Inverse-variance weighted (IVW) analysis served as the primary analytical method, complemented by sensitivity analyses to assess pleiotropy and enhance robustness. IVW analysis identified 8, 5, and 9 gut microbiota taxa as causally associated with cerebral aneurysm, thoracic aortic aneurysm, and aortic aneurysm, respectively (IVW, all P < .05). Notably, Bifidobacterium exhibited a potentially protective effect against cerebral and aortic aneurysms. Additionally, 3 serum metabolites were found to have a potential causal relationship with aortic aneurysms after false discovery rate correction. Sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of the IVW findings. This study suggests that gut microbiota and serum metabolites may influence aneurysm risk, offering novel insights for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of aneurysms.