Vitamin-D-receptor-gene polymorphisms and change in lumbar-spine bone mineral density.
Common vitamin-D-receptor (VDR) gene allelic variants predict bone mineral density. We analysed VDR alleles and rate of change of lumbar-spine bone mineral density over 18 months in 72 elderly subjects. 9 BB homozygotes lost bone mineral density but 26 homozygotes for the alternative genotype (bb) did not (mean change -2.3 [SE 1.0] vs 0.9 [0.7]% per year, p < 0.05), irrespective of calcium intake. Among 37 heterozygotes (Bb), however, change in bone mineral density correlated with calcium intake (r = 0.35, p < 0.03). This association between a genetic marker and rate of bone loss in the elderly suggests that the effect of calcium intake on maintenance of bone mass could relate to VDR gene polymorphisms.
WHO Collaborating Centre for Osteoporosis and Bone Disease, Department of Medicine, Geneva, Switzerland.
S
S
Ferrari
R
R
Rizzoli
T
T
Chevalley
D
D
Slosman
J A
JA
Eisman
J P
JP
Bonjour
D000368:Aged; D015519:Bone Density / Q000235:genetics*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000235:genetics; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D018167:Receptors, Calcitriol / Q000235:genetics*
D018167:Receptors, Calcitriol