# Comprehensive dietary patterns explain acquired cystic kidney disease risk through genetic and metabolomic mechanisms

## TL;DR

This study shows that certain dietary patterns, like high-fat and high-sugar diets, increase the risk of kidney cysts, while healthier diets may offer protection.

## Contribution

The study introduces a new method combining genetic and metabolomic data to link dietary patterns with kidney disease risk.

## Key findings

- Lipid-rich and hyperglycemic diets increased the risk of acquired renal cysts.
- Micronutrient-rich diets showed weak protective effects against kidney cysts.
- Seven NMR metabolites significantly mediated the relationship between diet and kidney cyst risk.

## Abstract

Acquired renal cysts (ARC) are associated with kidney function decline, necessitating novel dietary pattern (DP) analyses in large cohorts.

This UK Biobank prospective cohort study (2006–2010) included participants with ≥2 dietary records, excluding those with severe kidney damage. The constructed comprehensive dietary pattern integration (CDPI) utilized reduced rank regression (RRR) and latent profile analysis (LPA). ARC cases (ICD-10: N28.1) were assessed via Cox regression for risk and dose–response, with NMR metabolites examined as mediators.

Among 119,709 participants (median follow-up: 10.57 years), 850 ARC cases were identified. Lipid-rich and hyperglycemic diets increased ARC risk [e.g., HRs for G1.DP1: 1.080 (1.024, 1.139); G1.DP2: 1.144 (1.048, 1.249)], while micronutrient-rich diets showed weak protective effects [G4.DP1: 0.943 (0.892, 0.998)]. LPA confirmed RRR findings, and 7/251 NMR metabolites had significant mediating effects.

Diets high in fat (cheese, butter, pizza) and sugar (chocolate, sugary drinks) elevated ARC risk, whereas micronutrient- and fiber-rich diets (vegetables, fruit, lean poultry, nuts, eggs) were protective. Key mediators included branched-chain amino acids, IGF-1, and RBC distribution width.