Evaluating the association between dietary salt intake and the risk of atrial fibrillation using Mendelian randomization

Abstract

BackgroundPrevious studies have suggested that dietary salt intake affects atrial fibrillation (AF); however, the causal association between them still remains unclear. Thus, we conducted this Mendelian randomization (MR) study to explore the correlation between them.MethodsGenetic instruments for dietary salt intake were from a genome-wide association study (GWAS), which included 462,630 European individuals. Summary-level data for AF were obtained from another published GWAS (22,068 cases and 116,926 controls). The inverse-variance weighting (IVW) method was performed as the primary MR analysis. Multiple MR methods, including Robust Adjusted Profile Score (MR-RAPS), maximum likelihood estimation, and Mendelian randomization pleiotropy residual sum and outlier test (MR-PRESSO) were conducted as complementary analyses. The MR-Egger regression intercept and MR-PRESSO global test were conducted to test potential horizontal pleiotropy. The IVW (Q) method and MR-Egger were performed to detect heterogeneity.ResultsOur results suggested that high dietary salt intake was significantly correlated with increased risk of AF [IVW: odds ratio (OR), 1.36; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.04–1.77; p = 2.25E-02]. The maximum likelihood estimation (OR, 1.37; 95% CI, 1.05–1.78; p = 2.09E-02), MR-RAPS (OR, 1.37; 95% CI, 1.03–1.81; p = 2.79E-02), and MR-PRESSO method (OR, 1.36; 95% CI, 1.05–1.76; p = 2.37E-02) also showed that dietary salt intake was significantly correlated with the risk of AF.ConclusionThe findings of this study provide robust evidence supporting the correlation between dietary salt intake and the risk of AF. Future studies are required to further clarify this relationship and translate the findings into clinical and public health practice.

Association between adding salt in food and dementia in European descent: A mendelian randomization study

“…Our study, along with previous research, found that the association between salt intake and dementia remained significant even after excluding genetic variants associated with hypertension (Faraco et al, 2019;Wang et al, 2023). Conversely, the association between salt intake and VaD was not significant, even when blood pressure-related genetic variants were not excluded (data not shown).…”

“…In the context of high salt intake and dementia, MR studies offer a unique opportunity to explore whether there is a causal relationship between these factors. Studies have been conducted using MR methods to assess the health effects of salt added to food and risk factors for dementia (Jin et al, 2022;Sproviero et al, 2021;Wang et al, 2023;Zhou et al, 2021). These studies used inverse-variance weighted (IVW)…”

Molecular docking and in vivo protective effects of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) against metabolic dysfunction in high-fat, high-sodium diet-fed rats

“…4 In addition to the high salt content of the Western diet, followers of this dietary pattern typically add salt to their food and consume more high-salt pickles. 5 This high salt intake is a modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular diseases 6 and may contribute to insulin resistance and metabolic dysfunction via the activation of the renin-angiotensin system. 7 A growing number of individuals are now choosing natural medications, particularly plant-based supplements, for the prevention and treatment of diseases as people's quality of life improves.…”

“…4 In addition to the high salt content of the Western diet, followers of this dietary pattern typically add salt to their food and consume more high-salt pickles. 5 This high salt intake is a modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular diseases 6 and may contribute to insulin resistance and metabolic dysfunction via the activation of the renin–angiotensin system. 7…”