ALDH2 polymorphisms and bone mineral density in an elderly Japanese population.
BACKGROUND
Osteoporosis is a multifactorial genetic disease which greatly increases the risk of bone fracture in elderly persons.


METHODS
Four hundred and three recipients of a community health screening program were examined for the presence/absence of osteoporosis and 11 kinds of gene polymorphisms as a means of determining the relation between these gene polymorphisms and osteoporosis. The gene polymorphisms screened were: alcohol sensitivity-associated polymorphisms of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH2) Arg47His, aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH2) Glu487Lys, smoking sensitivity-associated polymorphisms of glutathione S transferase (GST) M1, (GST)T1, NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) C609T, inflammation-associated polymorphisms of interleukin-1beta (IL-1B)T-31C, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) T-1031C, endothelial constitutive nitric oxide synthase (ecNOS) Glu298Asp, longevity-associated polymorphism of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) 5178 A/C, allergy-associated polymorphism of interleukin-4 (IL-4), and immunity-associated polymorphism of CD14.


RESULTS
A significant association was found between the ALDH2Glu478Lys gene polymorphisms and osteoporosis. In the osteoporosis group of patients, a significant difference was noted between the Lys/Lys group and the group comprising Glu/Lys and Glu/Glu groups (namely, the genotypes including Glu alleles). In the Lys/Lys group, after age, sex, BMI, smoking history and alcohol consumption history had been adjusted for, the morbidity rate was significantly elevated [odds ratio (OR): 3.33; 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 1.28-8.71; p=0.014], and the effect was even more evident in the sub-group of women with osteoporosis (OR: 4.31; 95% CI: 1.24-14.92; p=0.021).


CONCLUSIONS
The present results suggest that active prophylactic interventions such as dietary, exercise, and pharmacological therapies should be offered to non-carriers of the Glu allele (Lys/Lys).
Yamaguchi
J
J
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Nagoya University School of Medicine, 65 Tsurumai-Cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya, 4668550, Aichi, Japan. yamajin@rc5.so-net.ne.jp
Hasegawa
Y
Y
Kawasaki
M
M
Masui
T
T
Kanoh
T
T
Ishiguro
N
N
Hamajima
N
N
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000444:Aldehyde Dehydrogenase / Q000235:genetics*; D044466:Asian People; D015519:Bone Density / Q000235:genetics*; D002111:Calcaneus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000235:genetics*; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D014463:Ultrasonography
D000444:Aldehyde Dehydrogenase