Causal association between gut microbiota and food allergy: a Mendelian randomization analysis

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To analyze the potential causal relationship between gut microbiota and food allergy (FA) using two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) methods. Data from genome-wide association studies on gut microbiota and FA were utilized. MR analysis was conducted employing inverse variance weighting, MR-Egger regression, and weighted median methods to assess the causal relationship between gut microbiota and FA. Cochrane's Q test was used to evaluate heterogeneity of instrumental variables, MR-PRESSO analysis was conducted to test for outliers and pleiotropy, and MR-Egger regression was employed to assess horizontal pleiotropy. The "leave-one-out" method was used to evaluate the impact of removing individual single nucleotide polymorphisms on the causal relationship. Inverse variance weighting analysis revealed that the phylum Verrucomicrobia, family Verrucomicrobiaceae, order Verrucomicrobiales, genus Ruminococcaceae UCG013, and genus Akkermansia were negatively associated with FA (P<0.05). Sensitivity analyses confirmed the reliability of the findings, indicating no heterogeneity or pleiotropy present. There is a causal relationship between gut microbiota and FA, with Verrucomicrobia, Verrucomicrobiaceae, Verrucomicrobiales, Ruminococcaceae UCG013, and Akkermansia potentially reducing the risk of developing FA. These findings provide potential targets for the treatment and prevention of FA; however, further research is needed to explore the specific mechanisms by which the microbiota influence FA.