Vitamin D receptor genotypes are related to bone size and bone density in men.
Three restriction fragment length polymorphisms in the vitamin D receptor gene have been associated with a low bone density in twin and female population studies, but no studies have been conducted exclusively in men. We studied 146 normal men aged 20-83 years. Bone density was measured in the spine, hip, whole body and forearm, and the Bsm polymorphism for the vitamin D receptor was detected by the polymerase chain reaction. Men with genotype BB tended to have a lower bone density at all but one site than the other genotypes. In the men < or = 50 years of age bone density in the forearm was 7% lower in the BB than the Bb and bb groups (P = 0.030) but bone mineral content did not differ between the groups. Bone area was greater in the BB genotype at all sites. This was statistically significant in the forearm (P = 0.026). We conclude that BB genotype is associated with lower bone density in men, which may be due to larger bone size rather than reduced bone mass.
Division of Clinical Biochemistry, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Australia.
A G
AG
Need
M
M
Horowitz
A
A
Stiliano
F
F
Scopacasa
H A
HA
Morris
B E
BE
Chatterton
D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001824:Body Constitution; D015519:Bone Density; D001846:Bone Development; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012150:Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length; D018167:Receptors, Calcitriol / Q000235:genetics*
D018167:Receptors, Calcitriol