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ORIGINAL RESEARCH article

Front. Nutr.
Sec. Nutrition and Metabolism
Volume 11 - 2024 | doi: 10.3389/fnut.2024.1434648

Retinol Intake and PCOS Management: A Plasma Metabolite and Protein Analysis via Mendelian Randomization and NHANES 2011-2016

Provisionally accepted
Peng Chen Peng Chen Sha Ni Sha Ni Qi-Fang Liu Qi-Fang Liu *Ling Ou-Yang Ling Ou-Yang
  • Sheng Jing Hospital Affiliated, China Medical University, Shenyang, China

The final, formatted version of the article will be published soon.

    Background: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) represents a complex endocrine disorder characterized by a significant interplay with metabolic dysfunction and obesity. This research endeavors to elucidate the causal dynamics among plasma metabolites, proteins, and PCOS, alongside Body Mass Index (BMI), to pinpoint prospective therapeutic interventions. Methods: This investigation employed Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses combined with data derived from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) to explore the relationships between 1400 plasma metabolites and PCOS, factoring in BMI adjustments. Additionally, the study examined the influence of plasma proteins and performed a retrospective cross-sectional analysis focusing on retinol consumption and testosterone levels. Results: MR analyses showed metabolite Glycosyl-N-(2-hydroxynervonoyl)-sphingosine (GNS) and protein Keratin 19 (KRT19) were identified as significant markers in the context of PCOS and BMI adjustments. A Phenome-Wide Association Study (PheWAS) underscored the linkage between KRT19 and BMI, while gene-drug interaction findings demonstrated a connection between KRT19 and retinol. Analysis for NHANES data disclosed a negative correlation between retinol intake and testosterone levels, particularly within normal weight and obese cohorts, suggesting the feasibility of dietary interventions for PCOS management. Conclusion: The study sheds light on the intricate interactions between plasma metabolites, proteins, and PCOS, considering BMI variations, and highlights KRT19 protein as a promising therapeutic target. The outcomes support the integration of retinol consumption into dietary strategies to regulate testosterone levels and potentially alleviate PCOS symptoms, underscoring the necessity for personalized nutritional and therapeutic approaches in the effective management of PCOS.

    Keywords: pcos, Mendelian randomization, drug target, NHANES, Retinol intake

    Received: 18 May 2024; Accepted: 09 Oct 2024.

    Copyright: © 2024 Chen, Ni, Liu and Ou-Yang. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

    * Correspondence: Qi-Fang Liu, Sheng Jing Hospital Affiliated, China Medical University, Shenyang, China

    Disclaimer: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.