Genetically predicted circulating vitamin C in relation to cardiovascular disease

Eur J Prev Cardiol. 2022 Jan 11;28(16):1829-1837. doi: 10.1093/eurjpc/zwab081.

Abstract

Aim: We conducted a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) study to assess the associations of genetically predicted circulating vitamin C levels with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs).

Methods and results: Ten lead single-nucleotide polymorphisms associated with plasma vitamin C levels at the genome-wide significance level were used as instrumental variables. Summary-level data for 15 CVDs were obtained from corresponding genetic consortia, the UK Biobank study, and the FinnGen consortium. The inverse-variance-weighted method was the primary analysis method, supplemented by the weighted median and MR-Egger methods. Estimates for each CVD from different sources were combined. Genetically predicted vitamin C levels were not associated with any CVD after accounting for multiple testing. However, there were suggestive associations of higher genetically predicted vitamin C levels (per 1 standard deviation increase) with lower risk of cardioembolic stroke [odds ratio, 0.79; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.64, 0.99; P = 0.038] and higher risk of atrial fibrillation (odds ratio, 1.09; 95% CI, 1.00, 1.18; P = 0.049) in the inverse-variance-weighted method and with lower risk of peripheral artery disease (odds ratio, 0.76, 95% CI, 0.62, 0.93; P = 0.009) in the weighted median method.

Conclusion: We found limited evidence with MR techniques for an overall protective role of vitamin C in the primary prevention of CVD. The associations of vitamin C levels with cardioembolic stroke, atrial fibrillation, and peripheral artery disease need further study.

Keywords: Cardiovascular disease; Mendelian randomization; Vitamin C.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Ascorbic Acid / blood*
  • Cardiovascular Diseases* / diagnosis
  • Cardiovascular Diseases* / epidemiology
  • Cardiovascular Diseases* / genetics
  • Humans
  • Mendelian Randomization Analysis
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
  • Risk Factors
  • Vitamins / blood

Substances

  • Vitamins
  • Ascorbic Acid