Exploring the Causal Relationship Between the Plasma Levels of MMP1 (Matrix Metalloproteinase-1), MMP3, MMP7, MMP10, and MMP12 and Intervertebral Disc Degeneration: Mendelian Randomization.

Background: Several matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have been reported to be associated with intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) in several previous studies. However, the causal relationship between MMPs and IDD remains unclear. In this study, Mendelian randomization (MR) was used to analyze the causal relationship between the plasma levels of multiple MMPs and the risk of IDD.