Mendelian Randomization Analyses Explore the Relationship between Trace Elements and Prostate Cancer

Trace elements indeed play a significant role in the occurrence and development of cancers, but it remains ambiguous whether a causal relationship exists between trace elements and prostate cancer. This study employed Mendelian randomization analyses to investigate such a causal link between trace elements (Co, Fe, Mg, Se, and Zn) and prostate cancer. The analyses primarily utilized the inverse variance weighted (IVW) method, supplemented by MR-Egger, weighted median, simple mode, and MR-PRESSO. The results of IVW (OR = 1.005, 95% CI: 1.001 - 1.009, p = 0.014) and MR-PRESSO (OR = 1.005, 95% CI: 1.002 - 1.008, p = 0.015) analyses demonstrated a significant causal effect of Mg on genetically predicted prostate cancer. However, the IVW analysis did not reveal any causal associations between prostate cancer and Co, Fe, Se, or Zn. Our study provided compelling evidence of a causal relationship between magnesium and prostate cancer within the European population. Therefore, maintaining magnesium balance may emerge as a potent strategy for prostate cancer prevention.