Projects per year
Abstract
Background: The causal nature of the observed associations between serum lipids and apolipoproteins and kidney function are unclear.
Subjects and Methods: Using two-sample and multivariable Mendelian randomization (MR), we examined the causal effects of serum lipids and apolipoproteins on kidney function, indicated by glomerular filtration rate estimated using creatinine (eGFRcrea) or cystatin C (eGFRcys), and urinary albumin to creatinine ratio (UACR). We obtained lipid- and apolipoprotein-associated genetic variants from the Global Lipids Genetics Consortium (n=331,368) and UK Biobank (n=441,016), respectively, and kidney function markers from the Trøndelag Health Study (HUNT; n=69,736) and UK Biobank (n=464,207). The reverse causal direction was examined using variants associated with kidney function markers selected from recent genome wide association studies (GWASs).
Results: There were no strong associations between genetically predicted lipid and apolipoprotein levels with kidney function markers. Some, but inconsistent evidence suggested a weak association of higher genetically predicted atherogenic lipid levels (indicated by low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglycerides and apolipoprotein B) with increased eGFR and UACR. For high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), results differed between eGFRcrea and eGFRcys, but neither analysis suggested substantial effects. We found no clear evidence of a reverse causal effect of eGFR on lipid or apolipoprotein traits, but higher UACR was associated with higher LDL-C, triglyceride and apolipoprotein B levels.
Conclusion: Our MR estimates suggest that serum lipid and apolipoproteins levels do not cause substantial changes in kidney function. A possible weak effect of higher atherogenic lipids on increased eGFR and UACR warrants further investigation. Processes leading to higher UACR may lead to more atherogenic lipid levels.
Subjects and Methods: Using two-sample and multivariable Mendelian randomization (MR), we examined the causal effects of serum lipids and apolipoproteins on kidney function, indicated by glomerular filtration rate estimated using creatinine (eGFRcrea) or cystatin C (eGFRcys), and urinary albumin to creatinine ratio (UACR). We obtained lipid- and apolipoprotein-associated genetic variants from the Global Lipids Genetics Consortium (n=331,368) and UK Biobank (n=441,016), respectively, and kidney function markers from the Trøndelag Health Study (HUNT; n=69,736) and UK Biobank (n=464,207). The reverse causal direction was examined using variants associated with kidney function markers selected from recent genome wide association studies (GWASs).
Results: There were no strong associations between genetically predicted lipid and apolipoprotein levels with kidney function markers. Some, but inconsistent evidence suggested a weak association of higher genetically predicted atherogenic lipid levels (indicated by low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglycerides and apolipoprotein B) with increased eGFR and UACR. For high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), results differed between eGFRcrea and eGFRcys, but neither analysis suggested substantial effects. We found no clear evidence of a reverse causal effect of eGFR on lipid or apolipoprotein traits, but higher UACR was associated with higher LDL-C, triglyceride and apolipoprotein B levels.
Conclusion: Our MR estimates suggest that serum lipid and apolipoproteins levels do not cause substantial changes in kidney function. A possible weak effect of higher atherogenic lipids on increased eGFR and UACR warrants further investigation. Processes leading to higher UACR may lead to more atherogenic lipid levels.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 1569-1579 |
Number of pages | 11 |
Journal | International Journal of Epidemiology |
Volume | 50 |
Issue number | 5 |
Early online date | 21 Jun 2021 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 10 Nov 2021 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:Dr Zhang is supported by the Vice-Chancellor fellowship and Dr Sanderson was supported by Medical Research Council (MC_UU_00011/1) during the study. Professors Davey Smith and Gaunt work in the Medical Research Council Integrative Epidemiology Unit at the University of Bristol (MC_UU_00011/1and4) and have received research funding from GlaxoSmithKline and Biogen
Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 The Author(s) 2021. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the International Epidemiological Association.
Keywords
- lipids
- eGFR
- Mendelian randomization
- urinary albumen to creatinine ratio
- apolipoproteins
- kidney
Fingerprint
Dive into the research topics of 'The causal effects of serum lipids and apolipoproteins on kidney function: multivariable and bidirectional Mendelian randomization analyses'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.Projects
- 1 Finished
-
IEU: MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit Quinquennial renewal
Gaunt, L. F. & Davey Smith, G.
1/04/18 → 31/03/23
Project: Research