Abstract:
Objective To investigate the causal associations between liver function indices and autoimmune liver diseases (AILD) using a bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) approach. Methods Genome-wide association study (GWAS) data for liver function indices and AILD were obtained from the open GWAS database. Forward MR analysis was performed with 9 liver function indices including alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), γ-glutamyl transferase (GGT): as exposures, while 3 types of AILD autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) were considered as outcomes. Reverse MR analysis was subsequently conducted to validate potential causal effects in the opposite direction. The inverse variance weighted (IVW) method was used as the primary analytical approach. Sensitivity analyses, including weighted median, MR-Egger, MR-PRESSO, horizontal pleiotropy test, and heterogeneity test were conducted to verify result robustness. Results Forward MR analysis showed that ALT (OR=1.719, 95% CI: 1.276-2.316, P < 0.001), AST (OR=1.358, 95% CI: 1.012-1.824, P=0.041), and GGT (OR=1.535, 95% CI: 1.255-1.877, P < 0.001) were positively associated with AIH. ALP and GGT exhibited positive causal relationships with PBC (ALP: OR=1.309, P < 0.001; GGT: OR=1.168, P=0.007) and PSC (ALP: OR=1.208, P=0.037; GGT: OR=1.155, P=0.046). Reverse MR analysis revealed causal associations between AIH and GGT (OR=1.004, P=0.021), PBC/PSC and ALP (PBC: OR=1.007, P=0.018; PSC: OR=1.008, P=0.039), as well as PBC/PSC and GGT (PBC: OR=1.014, P=0.003; PSC: OR=1.010, P < 0.001). Conclusion At the genetically predicted level, elevated ALT, AST, and GGT are associated with an increased risk of AIH, and AIH may, in turn, influence GGT levels. Bidirectional causal relationships were identified between ALP/GGT and PBC/PSC. These findings provide novel insights into the non-invasive diagnosis and potential therapeutic strategies for AILD.