The influence of genetic predisposition to oxidative stress on painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy: A mendelian randomization study

Cell Mol Biol (Noisy-le-grand). 2024 Mar 31;70(3):168-173. doi: 10.14715/cmb/2024.70.3.25.

Abstract

Genetic predisposition to oxidative stress (OS) may influence the risk of Painful Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (PDPN). This study employed a Mendelian Randomization (MR) approach to investigate the causal relationship between genetic predisposition to OS and PDPN. Genetic instruments associated with OS biomarkers were selected as exposures. Summary-level data on PDPN was obtained from the largest available genome-wide association study (GWAS). MR analyses were conducted using the inverse-variance weighted (IVW) method, with sensitivity analyses employing the MR-Egger, weighted median, and MR-PRESSO approaches. Genetic predisposition to increased glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity was associated with a reduced risk of PDPN (OR=0.66, 95%CI: 0.49-0.89, P=0.006). Higher ascorbate levels conferred a protective effect against PDPN (OR=0.83, 95%CI: 0.71-0.97, P=0.018). No significant association was observed between genetic predisposition to OS biomarkers and PDPN severity. Genetic predisposition to increased GST activity and higher ascorbate levels protect against the development of PDPN, suggesting a causal relationship.

MeSH terms

  • Ascorbic Acid* / metabolism
  • Biomarkers / metabolism
  • Diabetic Neuropathies* / genetics
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease*
  • Genome-Wide Association Study*
  • Glutathione Transferase* / genetics
  • Humans
  • Mendelian Randomization Analysis*
  • Oxidative Stress* / genetics
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide

Substances

  • Glutathione Transferase
  • Ascorbic Acid
  • Biomarkers