Work

The Relationship Between Hypothyroidism and Pneumonia and Possible Prevention and Treatment Measures

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Background: Epidemiological study has confirmed an association between hypothyroidism and pneumonia, but the causal relationship between the two remains unclear. Methods: The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data were used to confirm the correlation between hypothyroidism and pneumonia. Mendelian randomization (MR) studies were conducted to explore the potential causal relationship. Co-expressed differential genes were used to identify potential mechanisms and potential drugs for pneumonia treatment, CCK8 and qPCR were used to detect the safety and efficacy of potential drugs. Molecular docking and Western blot assays were used to explore potential underlying mechanism of pneumonia treatment. Results: The NHANES and MR (Training set: OR=47.88, 95% CI: 8.432– 271.8, P=1.3e-5; Test set: OR=1.849, 95% CI: 1.029– 3.323, P=4.0e-5) analyses indicated that hypothyroidism may increase the risk of pneumonia. Moreover, increasing the usual walking pace was associated with a reduced risk of pneumonia, and sensitivity analysis indicated these results were robust. Hypothyroidism may increase the risk of pneumonia through the JAK-STAT signaling pathway. Garcinol was identified as a compound that attenuates lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced pneumonia via inhibiting the expression level of p-STAT1. Conclusion: Hypothyroidism may elevate the risk of pneumonia, highlighting the need for preventive measures among hypothyroid patients, such as increasing walking pace. Additionally, garcinol shows potential therapeutic effects for pneumonia management. Plain Language Summary: Why was the study done - The clinical, economic, and humanistic burdens caused by pneumonia have always been a concern. It is particularly important to further analyze the potential risk factors, protective factors and therapeutic drugs of pneumonia. What did the researchers do and find - There is a potential causal relationship between hypothyroidism and the risk of pneumonia, increasing the usual walking pace may help reduce the risk of pneumonia, and garcinol may have a therapeutic effect on LPS-induced pneumonia by reducing the phosphorylation level of STAT1. What do these results mean - The relationship between hypothyroidism and pneumonia will receive further attention and increased walking speed and garcinol may play a further role in the prevention and treatment of pneumonia. Keywords: hypothyroidism, pneumonia, mendelian randomization, nhanes, walking, garcinol

Source: International Journal of General Medicine

DOI: 10.2147/ijgm.s529705

Authors: Yang Hao, Hanyu Zheng, Wenqiong Xiang, Fangjun Chen, Guangliang Qiang

Institutions: China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, The Affiliated Yongchuan Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Peking University Third Hospital

Language: English

Topic: Thyroid Disorders and Treatments

Subfield: Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,836