Metabolic mediators linking gut microbiota to age-related macular degeneration : A Mendelian randomization study
- 1Department of Ophthalmology, Affiliated Xiaoshan Hospital, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
Abstract
The gut microbiota (GM) plays a crucial role in maintaining homeostasis, and emerging evidence suggests its involvement in ocular health through the gut-eye axis. Given that metabolites have been implicated in age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and GM can influence metabolic processes, we hypothesized that GM may contribute to AMD risk via specific metabolic pathways. We utilized summary statistics from large genome-wide association studies in European populations. A two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis was conducted to assess the causal relationships between GM, circulating metabolites, and AMD risk. Additionally, a two-step Mendelian randomization approach was applied to investigate metabolites as potential mediators in the GM-AMD relationship. We identified 22 gut microbial taxa and 59 metabolites significantly associated with AMD risk. Mediation analysis further revealed 21 potential metabolic pathways linking GM to AMD development. These findings suggest that GM may influence AMD pathogenesis by modulating circulating metabolites. The identified metabolites could serve as potential biomarkers for AMD risk stratification, while also offering insights into the underlying biological mechanisms, providing a foundation for future research and therapeutic interventions.
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BibTeX
@article{wang2026metabolic,
title = {{Metabolic mediators linking gut microbiota to age-related macular degeneration : A Mendelian randomization study}},
author = {Gechun Wang and Yongsheng Li and Jing Su and Xiaoyou Lu},
journal = {Medicine},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1097/md.0000000000051352},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13727275},
note = {CC BY-NC},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Metabolic mediators linking gut microbiota to age-related macular degeneration : A Mendelian randomization study
AU - Gechun Wang
AU - Yongsheng Li
AU - Jing Su
AU - Xiaoyou Lu
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/30
JO - Medicine
DO - 10.1097/md.0000000000051352
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13727275
AB - The gut microbiota (GM) plays a crucial role in maintaining homeostasis, and emerging evidence suggests its involvement in ocular health through the gut-eye axis. Given that metabolites have been implicated in age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and GM can influence metabolic processes, we hypothesized that GM may contribute to AMD risk via specific metabolic pathways. We utilized summary statistics from large genome-wide association studies in European populations. A two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis was conducted to assess the causal relationships between GM, circulating metabolites, and AMD risk. Additionally, a two-step Mendelian randomization approach was applied to investigate metabolites as potential mediators in the GM-AMD relationship. We identified 22 gut microbial taxa and 59 metabolites significantly associated with AMD risk. Mediation analysis further revealed 21 potential metabolic pathways linking GM to AMD development. These findings suggest that GM may influence AMD pathogenesis by modulating circulating metabolites. The identified metabolites could serve as potential biomarkers for AMD risk stratification, while also offering insights into the underlying biological mechanisms, providing a foundation for future research and therapeutic interventions.
SN - 0304-5412
SN - 1536-5964
SN - 0025-7974
ER -