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.
Ferrari
S
S
WHO Collaborating Centre for Osteoporosis and Bone Disease, Department of Medicine, Geneva, Switzerland.
Rizzoli
R
R
Chevalley
T
T
Slosman
D
D
Eisman
J A
JA
Bonjour
J P
JP
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