Genetically predicted body composition in relation to cardiometabolic traits: a Mendelian randomization study

Fat mass and fat-free mass are found to be associated with different health outcomes in observational studies, but the underlying causality remains unclear. We aimed to investigate the causal relationships between body composition and cardiometabolic traits using a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) approach. Independent genetic variants associated with body fat mass, fat-free mass, and fat percentage in UK Biobank population were used as genetic instrumental variables, and their causal effects on circulatory diseases, type 2 diabetes, glycemic traits, and lipid fractions were estimated from large-scale genome-wide association studies (GWAS) in European populations. Univariable, multivariable, and bidirectional MR analyses were performed. Genetically predicted high fat mass and fat percentage significantly increased risks of most cardiometabolic diseases, and high fat-free mass had protective effects on most cardiometabolic diseases after accounting for fat mass. Fat mass, fat-free mass, and fat percentage were all positively associated with higher risks of atrial fibrillation and flutter, varicose veins, and deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. High fat mass increased fasting glucose, homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), triglycerides, decreased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and high fat-free mass reduced HOMA-IR, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Genetically predicted fat-free mass was bidirectionally negatively associated with 2-h glucose and total cholesterol. The findings may be helpful in risk stratification and tailoring management of body composition in patients with different cardiometabolic statuses.

Automated summary

Genetically predicted high fat mass and fat percentage significantly increased risks of most cardiometabolic diseases, while high fat-free mass had protective effects on most cardiometabolic diseases after accounting for fat mass. Fat mass, fat-free mass, and fat percentage were all positively associated with higher risks of atrial fibrillation and flutter, varicose veins, and deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.