Metformin and risk factors for chronic kidney disease in a European population based on Mendelian randomization

Background Metformin, widely used for type 2 diabetes, raises concerns about its use in chronic kidney disease (CKD) due to risks like lactic acidosis and renal function impact. This study uses Mendelian randomization (MR) and summary data-based MR (SMR) to explore metformin’s potential causal relat...

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Main Authors: Xiaopei Liu, Xingyao Li, Peng An, Qi Gao, Yanhong Zhao, Xingmin Shi, Xili Wu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2025-12-01
Series:Renal Failure
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/0886022X.2025.2486551
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author Xiaopei Liu
Xingyao Li
Peng An
Qi Gao
Yanhong Zhao
Xingmin Shi
Xili Wu
author_facet Xiaopei Liu
Xingyao Li
Peng An
Qi Gao
Yanhong Zhao
Xingmin Shi
Xili Wu
author_sort Xiaopei Liu
collection DOAJ
description Background Metformin, widely used for type 2 diabetes, raises concerns about its use in chronic kidney disease (CKD) due to risks like lactic acidosis and renal function impact. This study uses Mendelian randomization (MR) and summary data-based MR (SMR) to explore metformin’s potential causal relationship with CKD and associated genes.Methods We employed MR methods (MR-Egger, weighted median, IVW) and sensitivity analyses to explore the causal relationship between metformin and CKD. SMR was used to analyze eQTL and CKD data from the UK Biobank and FinnGen, intersecting these with metformin drug targets to identify genes associated with CKD.Results MR analysis indicated that metformin may increase CKD risk (IVW model: OR = 144.67, p < 0.01). However, given the high OR value, additional studies are warranted to validate this finding. SMR identified genes ANPEP, STK11, ACACB, and RPS6KB as significantly associated with CKD risk.Conclusion The study suggests metformin could elevate CKD risk and identifies relevant genes. Clinicians should exercise caution when prescribing metformin, particularly for patients with renal issues. Further research is needed to confirm these findings and guide clinical practices.
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publishDate 2025-12-01
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series Renal Failure
spelling doaj-art-ad6766a3a94a4fdea64ee3faa85337542025-08-20T02:29:46ZengTaylor & Francis GroupRenal Failure0886-022X1525-60492025-12-0147110.1080/0886022X.2025.2486551Metformin and risk factors for chronic kidney disease in a European population based on Mendelian randomizationXiaopei Liu0Xingyao Li1Peng An2Qi Gao3Yanhong Zhao4Xingmin Shi5Xili Wu6Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Huangling Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Yan’an, Shaanxi, ChinaDepartment of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, ChinaDepartment of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, ChinaDepartment of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, ChinaDepartment of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, ChinaKey Laboratory for Disease Prevention and Control and Health Promotion of Shaanxi Province, School of Public Health, Medical Science Center, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, ChinaDepartment of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, ChinaBackground Metformin, widely used for type 2 diabetes, raises concerns about its use in chronic kidney disease (CKD) due to risks like lactic acidosis and renal function impact. This study uses Mendelian randomization (MR) and summary data-based MR (SMR) to explore metformin’s potential causal relationship with CKD and associated genes.Methods We employed MR methods (MR-Egger, weighted median, IVW) and sensitivity analyses to explore the causal relationship between metformin and CKD. SMR was used to analyze eQTL and CKD data from the UK Biobank and FinnGen, intersecting these with metformin drug targets to identify genes associated with CKD.Results MR analysis indicated that metformin may increase CKD risk (IVW model: OR = 144.67, p < 0.01). However, given the high OR value, additional studies are warranted to validate this finding. SMR identified genes ANPEP, STK11, ACACB, and RPS6KB as significantly associated with CKD risk.Conclusion The study suggests metformin could elevate CKD risk and identifies relevant genes. Clinicians should exercise caution when prescribing metformin, particularly for patients with renal issues. Further research is needed to confirm these findings and guide clinical practices.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/0886022X.2025.2486551Mendelian randomizationmetforminchronic kidney diseasesummary data-based Mendelian randomizationcausal relationship
spellingShingle Xiaopei Liu
Xingyao Li
Peng An
Qi Gao
Yanhong Zhao
Xingmin Shi
Xili Wu
Metformin and risk factors for chronic kidney disease in a European population based on Mendelian randomization
Renal Failure
Mendelian randomization
metformin
chronic kidney disease
summary data-based Mendelian randomization
causal relationship
title Metformin and risk factors for chronic kidney disease in a European population based on Mendelian randomization
title_full Metformin and risk factors for chronic kidney disease in a European population based on Mendelian randomization
title_fullStr Metformin and risk factors for chronic kidney disease in a European population based on Mendelian randomization
title_full_unstemmed Metformin and risk factors for chronic kidney disease in a European population based on Mendelian randomization
title_short Metformin and risk factors for chronic kidney disease in a European population based on Mendelian randomization
title_sort metformin and risk factors for chronic kidney disease in a european population based on mendelian randomization
topic Mendelian randomization
metformin
chronic kidney disease
summary data-based Mendelian randomization
causal relationship
url https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/0886022X.2025.2486551
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