Work

Bidirectional causal relationship between inflammatory cytokines and endometriosis at different sites

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: This study aims to explore the genetic connection between inflammatory cytokines (IC) and endometriosis (EMs) to provide insights for the treatment of EMs. METHODS: Data from two genome-wide association studies (GWAS) on IC and EMs were analyzed for single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Both forward and reverse Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses were conducted using inverse variance weighting. In the forward MR analysis, IC-related SNPs were used as instrumental variables with EMs as the outcome. Conversely, in the reverse MR analysis, SNPs associated with EMs were used as instrumental variables with IC as the outcome. Analyses were conducted using the TwoSampleMR package in R. RESULTS: The forward MR analysis revealed no significant genetic correlation between 51 ICs and EMs (P > 0.05). The reverse MR analysis, however, revealed a significant genetic correlation between EMs and one type of IC (P < 0.05), with no significant correlations for the others (P > 0.05). Notably, specific inflammatory factors varied among different EMs sites (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Although ICs do not have a genetic influence on EMs, variations in inflammatory factors are observed in EMs patients, especially across different EMs sites. These findings suggest unique inflammatory responses at specific EMs sites.

Source: BMC Women s Health

DOI: 10.1186/s12905-025-04058-7

Authors: Shu-ping Huang, Ze-chao Zhang, Wen-jia Ding, Liang-ying Li, Wei-hong Li

Institution: Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine

Language: English

Topic: Endometriosis Research and Treatment

Subfield: Reproductive Medicine

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,890