Glucosamine supplementation contributes to reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes: Evidence from Mendelian randomization combined with a meta-analysis

Abstract

Objective Observational studies on glucosamine supplementation and type 2 diabetes risk have shown inconsistent results, necessitating the use of Mendelian randomization to clarify the true causal relationship. Methods The glucosamine supplementation–related genome-wide association study dataset was obtained from the MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit consortium, whereas type 2 diabetes–related genome-wide association study datasets were obtained from the FinnGen consortium (discovery) and Xue et al.’s meta-analysis (validation). Two-sample Mendelian randomization analyses were performed separately in the discovery and validation datasets, followed by meta-analysis and multivariable Mendelian randomization analyses to verify the robustness of the results of two-sample Mendelian randomization. The estimation of the causal relationship was conducted through the inverse variance weighted method. Results Glucosamine supplementation exhibited a significant protective effect against type 2 diabetes, as identified by two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis in the FinnGen consortium (odds ratio: 0.13, 95% confidence interval: 0.02–0.89) and validated in Xue et al.’s meta-analysis (odds ratio: 0.06, 95%; confidence interval: 0.01–0.29). A combined meta-analysis (odds ratio: 0.08, 95%; confidence interval: 0.02–0.27) of the results of two-sample Mendelian randomization confirmed the robustness of these findings. Additionally, multivariable Mendelian randomization analysis (odds ratio: 0.12, 95%; confidence interval: 0.02–0.94), after adjusting for confounding factors, supported the results of two-sample Mendelian randomization. No evidence of heterogeneity or pleiotropy was observed. Conclusion Overall, our results revealed that genetically predicted glucosamine supplementation was inversely associated with the risk of type 2 diabetes, highlighting the potential importance of glucosamine supplementation in preventing type 2 diabetes.