Causal link between docosahexaenoic acid and osteoporosis: A 2-sample Mendelian randomization study

Abstract

To explore the causal relationship between docosahexaenoic acid and osteoporosis. Possible causal links were investigated using a 2-sample Mendelian randomization study. Its genetic correlation was estimated using chained disequilibrium regression. Sensitivity tests were also performed. There was a causal association between docosahexaenoic acid and osteoporosis, and docosahexaenoic acid was a risk factor for osteoporosis (P = .033, odds ratio [95% CI] = 1.099 [1.008–1.198]). For every 1 standard deviation increase in docosahexaenoic acid lev, the risk of developing osteoporosis increased by 9.900%. The genetic correlation between docosahexaenoic acid (h2_Z = 5.260, P = 1.430e−7), osteoporosis (h2_Z = 8.780, P = 1.160e−98), and genes was significant, but there was a weak genetic correlation between docosahexaenoic acid and osteoporosis (rg = −0.040, P = 1.630e−18). Blood levels of docosahexaenoic acid are causally linked to osteoporosis and are a risk factor for osteoporosis. However, this causal link is not brought about by genetic variation. The exact mechanism needs to be explored further.