In this research, we employed MR analysis to investigate the causal link between immune cells and epilepsy, and to investigate whether this relationship is mediated through metabolites. Our findings suggest a causative link between genetically forecasted levels of immune cells (specifically CD64 on CD14-CD16) and increased risk of epilepsy, indicating that an increase of one standard deviation in CD64 on CD14-CD16 levels is associated with an approximate 8.26% increase in epilepsy risk under constant conditions. Notably, about 5.05% of this effect appears to be mediated through the metabolite Paraxanthine to linoleate (18:2n6) ratio.
Studies show that inflammation is a major factor in epilepsy32,33. For instance, a study discussed the role of P2X7 receptors in epilepsy and neuroinflammation, particularly their expression on various cells in the brain and their involvement in the inflammatory process during epileptic seizures13. Other studies34 have demonstrated that tumor necrosis factor-alpha inhibits epileptic seizures through specific receptors, while interleukin-1 receptor antagonists have been found to exhibit antiepileptic effects in mice. Overexpression of cytokines in the brain, such as interleukin-6, is associated with the induction of neurological disorders in animal models. This suggests a close link between immune responses and neural health. The migration of immune cells to the central nervous system and their role in neurological disorders is also a significant area of research. Additionally, studies35 have explored the role of the blood-brain barrier in immune functions and dysfunctions, which is crucial for understanding how peripheral immune responses affect the central nervous system. These studies collectively emphasize the intricate interplay between the immune system and neurological disorders, especially epilepsy.
When immune cell activity changes, different metabolites may be released, which can influence the risk of epilepsy by affecting the function of neural cells. For example, certain metabolites might alter neuronal excitability or affect neural conduction pathways36. A study utilized 1H-NMR and DI/LC-MS/MS technologies to identify and quantify 212 metabolites37. The results showed that among these 212 detected metabolites, 14 exhibited significant concentration changes between epilepsy patients and the control group (p < 0.05, q < 0.05) 37.Therefore, by studying these changes in metabolites, scientists can better understand the connection between the immune system and the onset of epilepsy, and how modulating these metabolic pathways might reduce the risk of epilepsy. This study found that the Paraxanthine to linoleate (18:2n6) ratio may play a certain mediating role in the relationship between immune cells and epilepsy. This suggests that this metabolite might be a key factor linking changes in immune activity and epilepsy risk. The variation in this ratio may reflect the activation state of immune cells, impacting the function of the nervous system. For instance, if changes in this ratio lead to increased excitability of neural cells or altered neural communication pathways, this might increase the risk of epilepsy. Therefore, changes in the Paraxanthine to linoleate (18:2n6) ratio not only reflect the state of the immune system but may also be an important biomarker for predicting or intervening in epilepsy risk. This discovery underscores the potential importance of metabolites in neuroimmunology and disease prevention.
In our research, we were the first to employ mediation MR technology to explore the causal association among metabolites, immune cells, and epilepsy. We employed multiple typical sensitivity analyses and excluded the likelihood of reverse causation. Our initial results indicate a causal link between immune cells and epilepsy and its intermediaries, further supporting the theoretical basis for treating and preventing epilepsy and proposing new methods for its management. For example, the risk of epilepsy onset can be managed by initially regulating specific metabolites through diet, exercise, or other methods.
While our study includes several advantages, such as a substantial sample size and the utilization of various sensitivity analysis techniques to ensure the credibility of our research and mitigate confounding variables, it is essential to acknowledge the presence of unavoidable limitations. Firstly, although the sample size is substantial, participants are entirely of European descent, potentially limiting considerations of genetic diversity and environmental influences. Secondly, despite our efforts to identify and remove outlier variables, we cannot completely exclude the possibility of horizontal pleiotropy influencing our findings. Thirdly, while our results suggest a potential mediation effect, the fact that the p-value is greater than 0.05 and the confidence interval includes negative numbers may be due to the presence of unknown moderating variables. Perhaps future research could focus on including participants from a more diverse range of ethnicities and regions, expanding the sample size, and conducting experiments at the cellular level, with animal models, as well as clinical trials. Advanced analytical methods or stricter statistical controls could be used to reduce the impact of potential biases. Additionally, the robustness of research results could be further validated by using different statistical models or tools.