title: PvuII polymorphisms of the estrogen receptor alpha and bone mineral density in healthy southern Chinese women.
abstract: The association between PvuII polymorphisms of the estrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha) gene and total as well as regional bone mineral density (BMD) in healthy Chinese women (n = 182) was determined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP), where P indicated the absence and p the presence of PvuII restriction sites. Subjects with PP genotype had significantly higher BMD at the thoracic spine and ribs (both P < 0.05) when compared with those with Pp and pp genotypes. Although PP genotype had slightly higher BMD values at the lumbar spine L2-L4 region and hip by 8% and 7%, respectively, the results failed to reach statistical significance. After adjusting for age, height, weight, and years since menopause, PP genotype had higher BMD at the left (P < 0.02) and right (P < 0.05) rib region but not at the thoracic spine (P = 0.056). Analyzing the premenopausal subjects alone (n = 64) revealed that subjects with PP genotype had higher adjusted BMD at the right rib region (P < 0.05). When only the postmenopausal women (n = 118) were analyzed, the adjusted BMD of the PP genotype at the thoracic spine was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than the other two groups. In conclusion, estrogen receptor gene has a role in determining bone mass but the clinical impact on its own is probably small.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital, 102 Pokfulam Rd., The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, PRC.
authors.forename: A Y
authors.initials: AY
authors.lastname: Ho
authors.forename: S S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Yeung
authors.forename: A W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Kung
mesh_terms: D044466:Asian People / Q000235:genetics*; D015519:Bone Density / Q000235:genetics*; D002681:China; D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006615:Hip / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D012150:Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length; D017698:Postmenopause; D017697:Premenopause; D011859:Radiography; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000235:genetics*; D012272:Ribs / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013131:Spine / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging
chemical_list: D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen