The role of gut microbiota and inflammatory factors in the pathogenesis of PCOS: A Mendelian Randomization study

Abstract

Abstract Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common gynecological disorder, yet its etiology remains incompletely understood. Recent studies have suggested that gut microbiota dysbiosis and inflammation could potentially contribute to the development of PCOS. Methods: In this study, we employed Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis to investigate the relationship between gut microbiota, inflammatory factors, and PCOS development. Publicly available genome-wide association study (GWAS) data were utilized, and MR analysis was conducted to assess the causal relationships between them. Results: The study revealed potential causal relationships between certain taxonomic groups within the gut microbiota and the risk of PCOS development. Specifically, taxa such as the phylum Cyanobacteria, the order Burkholderiales, the genus Holdemania, the genus Candidatus Soleaferrea, the genus Blautia, and the genus Bilophila exhibited negative associations with the risk of PCOS, suggesting a protective effect against the condition. Conversely, taxa such as the family Lachnospiraceae, the class Bacilli, and the class Alphaproteobacteria showed positive associations with the risk of PCOS, potentially increasing susceptibility to the disease. Additionally, the study identified inflammatory factors such as CCL2, IL-12, and IL18Ra as having potential causal relationships with the risk of PCOS. Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate that both gut microbiota and inflammatory factors may play significant roles in the pathogenesis of PCOS. Gut microbiota dysbiosis may contribute to exacerbated inflammatory responses, potentially influencing the development of PCOS. Further research endeavors can delve deeper into elucidating the specific roles and interactions between gut microbiota and inflammatory factors in the pathogenesis of PCOS. This could open up novel avenues for the diagnosis and treatment of PCOS by identifying new targets and therapeutic strategies.