# Shared Plasma Metabolites Mediate Causal Effects of Metabolic Diseases on Colorectal Cancer: A Two-Step Mendelian Randomization Study

## TL;DR

This study identifies plasma metabolites that mediate the link between metabolic diseases and colorectal cancer, offering new targets for treatment and prevention.

## Contribution

The study is the first to systematically reveal shared intermediary plasma metabolites and their regulatory genes in the causal pathway from metabolic diseases to CRC.

## Key findings

- Five plasma metabolites were identified as shared central mediators between metabolic diseases and CRC.
- FADS1 and related genes are upregulated in CRC and linked to poor prognosis.
- Nine FADS1-interacting proteins are targeted by supplements like α-linolenic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid.

## Abstract

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is significantly associated with multiple metabolic diseases, with plasma metabolites potentially mediating this relationship. This large-scale metabolomics study aims to (1) quantify the genetic correlations and causal effects between 10 metabolic disease-related phenotypes and CRC risk; (2) identify the plasma metabolites mediating these effects; and (3) explore downstream regulatory genes and druggable targets. Methods: Using linkage disequilibrium score regression and two-sample Mendelian randomization, we assessed the causal relationships between each metabolic trait and CRC. A total of 1091 plasma metabolites and 309 metabolite ratios were identified and analyzed for mediating effects by a two-step MR approach. Colocalization analyses evaluated shared genetic loci. The findings were validated in the UK Biobank for metabolite-trait associations. The expression of candidate genes was explored using data from TCGA, GTEx, and GEO. A FADS1-centered protein–protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed via STRING. Results: BMI, waist circumference, basal metabolic rate, insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome exhibited both genetic correlation and causal effects on CRC. Five plasma metabolites—mannonate, the glucose/mannose ratio, plasma free asparagine, 1-linolenoyl-2-linolenoyl-GPC (18:2/18:3), and the mannose/trans-4-hydroxyproline ratio—were identified as shared central mediators. A colocalization analysis showed rs174546 linked CRC and 1-linolenoyl-2-linoleoyl-GPC. Validation in the UK Biobank confirmed the associations between phosphatidylcholine (the lipid class of this metabolite), adiposity measures, and CRC risk. An integrative analysis of TCGA, GTEx, and GEO revealed consistent upregulation of FADS1/2/3 and FEN1 in CRC, with high FADS1 expression predicting a poorer prognosis and showing the distinct cell-type expression in adipose and colon tissue. The PPI network mapping uncovered nine FADS1 interacting proteins targeted by supplements such as α-linolenic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid. Conclusions: This study systematically reveals, for the first time, the shared intermediary plasma metabolites and their regulatory genes in the causal pathway from metabolic diseases to CRC. These findings provide candidate targets for subsequent functional validation and biomarker development.