The vitamin D receptor gene variant is associated with the prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease.
OBJECTIVE
Vitamin D can influence lipolysis and insulin secretion. A common genetic polymorphism of the vitamin D receptor, which has been found to be associated with bone mineral density, has also been reported to be associated with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. To test the influence of the vitamin D receptor polymorphism on the prevalence of Type 2 diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease we studied a population of high-risk patients, who were referred to our clinic for diagnostic coronary angiography.


METHODS
A total of 293 patients considered at high risk for coronary artery disease because of angina pectoris and known hypercholesterolaemia underwent diagnostic coronary angiography. The BsmI vitamin D receptor polymorphism was analysed by polymerase chain reaction.


RESULTS
Prevalence of Type 2 diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease was gradually dependent on the number of B alleles (BB 28%, Bb 13%, bb 8% for Type 2 diabetes mellitus, P = 0.002; BB 88% Bb 72%, bb 66% coronary artery disease, P = 0.01). Patients with the BB genotype had an odds ratio of 3.64 (95% confidence interval 1.53-8.55, P = 0.002) to have Type 2 diabetes mellitus compared with patients with the bb genotype.


CONCLUSIONS
The genotype of the vitamin D receptor polymorphism determines the prevalence of Type 2 diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease in a high-risk cohort population.
Ortlepp
J R
JR
Medical Clinic I, University Hospital of Aachen, Aachen, Germany. jort@pcserver.mk1.rwth-aachen.de
Lauscher
J
J
Hoffmann
R
R
Hanrath
P
P
Joost
H G
HG
D017023:Coronary Angiography; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000235:genetics*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004247:DNA / Q000097:blood; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D006580:Genetic Carrier Screening; D014644:Genetic Variation; D005838:Genotype; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D018167:Receptors, Calcitriol / Q000235:genetics*; D012907:Smoking
D018167:Receptors, Calcitriol; D004247:DNA