Gut microbiota and acne: A Mendelian randomization study

Abstract

Background: Prior observational studies have identified a relationship between the composition of gut microbiota and the onset of acne. To ascertain the causal relationship underlying this association, we adopted the Mendelian randomization (MR) method, which offers a powerful approach to causal inference. Methods: Summary statistics on gut microbiota and acne were obtained from the MiBioGen and FinnGen consortium, respectively. The causal relationship was assessed using multiple methods in a two-sample framework, including MR Egger, weighted median, inverse variance weighted (IVW), and weighted mode. Furthermore, the heterogeneity and horizontal pleiotropy analyses were conducted, along with the leave-one-out method. Results: The IVW estimation indicated that Allisonella (odds ratio [OR] = 1.42, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.18–1.70, p = 0.0002) and Bacteroides (OR = 2.25, 95% CI = 1.48–3.42, p = 0.0001) have adverse effects on acne. By contrast, Ruminococcus torques group (OR = 0.41, 95% CI = 0.25–0.65, p = 0.0002) showed a beneficial effect on acne. In addition, Candidatus soleaferrea (OR = 0.75, 95% CI = 0.60–0.95, p = 0.0149), Eubacterium coprostanoligenes group (OR = 0.67, 95% CI = 0.47–0.95, p = 0.0230), Fusicatenibacter (OR = 0.71, 95% CI = 0.52–0.97, p = 0.02897), and Lactobacillus (OR = 0.72, 95% CI = 0.58–0.90, p = 0.0046) showed suggestive associations with acne. Conclusion: The present investigation suggests a causal effect of gut microbiota on acne.