Androgen receptor (AR) gene microsatellite polymorphism in postmenopausal women: correlation to bone mineral density and susceptibility to osteoporosis.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the correlation of the androgen receptor gene microsatellite polymorphism (CAG trinucleotide repeat polymorphism on exon 1) with bone mineral density and their relationship to osteoporosis in postmenopausal women.


METHODS
A number of 168 of 477 postmenopausal women were randomly recruited. The androgen receptor gene microsatellite polymorphism was determined using polymerase chain reaction-based microsatellite analysis. Bone mineral density of the lumbar spine and proximal femur was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry.


RESULTS
The AR genotype was classified from "9" to "32" according to the number of CAG trinucleotide repeats they contained to represent "signposts". After adjustment for potential confounding factors such as age, height, weight, years since menopause, and daily calcium intake, subjects with genotype 20+ (n=64) had lower bone mineral density values and a significantly greater risk for osteoporosis (OR 4.2, 95% CI 1.0-17.2) when compared with subjects with genotype 20- (n=104) at the femoral neck.


CONCLUSIONS
The present study suggests that the androgen receptor gene microsatellite polymorphism may be a candidate genetic marker for risk of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women.
Chen
Huey-Yi
HY
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, China Medical College Hospital, School of Medicine, Taichung, Taiwan
Chen
Wen-Chi
WC
Wu
Mei-Chen
MC
Tsai
Fuu-Jen
FJ
Tsai
Chang-Hai
CH
D000483:Alleles; D015519:Bone Density; D002136:Calcium, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D005272:Femur Neck; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae; D018895:Microsatellite Repeats; D008875:Middle Aged; D015663:Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal / Q000235:genetics*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D017698:Postmenopause; D011944:Receptors, Androgen / Q000235:genetics*
D002136:Calcium, Dietary; D011944:Receptors, Androgen