Xie Xiaoying,Sheng Bin,Yuan Fuqiang,Causal association between Bifidobacterium and major depressive disorder: a Mendelian randomization study[J].SICHUAN MENTAL HEALTH,2025,(6):498-504
Causal association between Bifidobacterium and major depressive disorder: a Mendelian randomization study
DOI:10.11886/scjsws20250616002
English keywords:Bifidobacterium  Major depressive disorder  Causal effect  Mendelian randomization
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Author NameAffiliationPostcode
Xie Xiaoying Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang 330004, China 330004
Sheng Bin Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang 330004, China 330004
Yuan Fuqiang* Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang 330004, China 330004
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English abstract:
      Background Major depressive disorder (MDD), a prevalent mental disorder, is characterized by persistent depressed mood, impaired concentration, loss of interest in daily activities, decreased appetite, and sleep disturbances. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) indicate potential benefits of Bifidobacterium supplementation for MDD, but the evidence base remains insufficient to draw definitive conclusions.Objective To explore the causal association between Bifidobacterium and MDD through a Mendelian randomization (MR) approach, with the hope of providing genetic evidence to elucidate the etiological mechanisms and risk factors underlying MDD.Methods Summary-level data from genome-wide association studies (GWAS) was conducted, specifying Bifidobacterium as the exposure variable and MDD as the outcome variable, to rigorously investigate the causal association between Bifidobacterium and MDD. Multiple complementary analytical approaches were employed, including inverse-variance weighted, weighted median estimator, MR-Egger regression, weighted mode and simple mode, to derive robust causal estimates. Furthermore, to ensure the robustness and validity of the findings, a series of comprehensive sensitivity analysis were systematically performed, encompassing MR-Egger regression test, MR-PRESSO test and leave-one-out analysis.Results Inverse-variance weighted revealed a causal link from Bifidobacterium to MDD (OR=1.018, 95% CI: 1.001–1.035, P=0.035), whereas no evidence of reverse causality was observed (OR=0.603, 95% CI: 0.116–3.130, P=0.547).Conclusion Bifidobacterium is a risk factor for MDD, and its presence may increase the risk of MDD onset.
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