Causal Effect of Chondroitin, Glucosamine, Vitamin, and Mineral Intake on Kidney Function: A Mendelian Randomization Study

The causal effects of chondroitin, glucosamine, and vitamin/mineral supplement intake on kidney function remain unknown, despite being commonly used. We conducted a two-sample summary-level Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis to test for causal associations between regular dietary supplement intake and kidney function. Genetic instruments for chondroitin, glucosamine, and vitamin/mineral supplement intake were obtained from a genome-wide association study of European ancestry. Summary statistics for the log-transformed estimated glomerular filtration rate (log-eGFR) were provided by the CKDGen consortium. The multiplicative random-effects inverse-variance weighted method showed that genetically predicted chondroitin and glucosamine intake was causally associated with a lower eGFR (chondroitin, eGFR change beta = -0.113%, standard error (SE) = 0.03%, p-value = 2 x 10(-4); glucosamine, eGFR change beta = -0.240%, SE = 0.035%, p-value = 6 x 10(-12)). However, a genetically predicted vitamin/mineral supplement intake was associated with a higher eGFR (eGFR change beta = 1.426%, SE = 0.136%, p-value = 1 x 10(-25)). Validation analyses and pleiotropy-robust MR results for chondroitin and vitamin/mineral supplement intake supported the main results. Our MR study suggests a potential causal effect of chondroitin and glucosamine intake on kidney function. Therefore, clinicians should carefully monitor their long-term effects.

Automated summary

This study conducted a summary-level Mendelian randomization analysis to investigate the causal effects of chondroitin, glucosamine, and vitamin/mineral supplement intake on kidney function. The results suggest a potential causal effect of chondroitin and glucosamine intake on a lower estimated glomerular filtration rate, while vitamin/mineral supplement intake may be associated with a higher eGFR.