Despite a mounting body of evidence suggesting a role for the gut microbiota in kidney diseases, the precise mechanisms underpinning this relationship remain unclear. In this context, we utilized a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis and extensive genetic database mining to delineate the potential causal link between the gut microbiota and proteinuria. By utilizing data from European cohorts and genome-wide association studies (GWAS), we identified 14 significant instrumental variables associated with gut microbiome practices. Through rigorous statistical analyses, including MR Egger regression and Inverse Variance Weighted (IVW) method, we demonstrated a significant causal relationship between gut microbiota and proteinuria (P = 0.0004).Sensitivity analysis further corroborated the robustness of our findings. Moreover, by leveraging the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, we carried out a comprehensive analysis of differentially expressed genes in patients with membranous nephropathy, with a particular focus on those associated with proteinuria. Our findings uncovered key pathways, such as taste transduction and transporter activity, that are modulated by the gut microbiota. Furthermore, we identified specific genes, including znf784 and tmem125, whose expression is regulated by the intestinal flora and is implicated in kidney function.

Meng Li, Yuzeng Huang, Guangfu Wu. Gut microbiota can relieve proteinuria: A two-sample Mendelian analysis and genetic database mining. Academic Journal of Medicine & Health Sciences (2024), Vol. 5, Issue 11: 35-42. https://doi.org/10.25236/AJMHS.2024.051105.

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