Calcium supply, bone mineral density and genetically defined lactose maldigestion in a cohort of elderly men.
OBJECTIVE
To examine a relationship of molecularly defined lactose malabsorption (LM; by LCT-polymorphism) to calcium supply, bone mineral density (BMD) and parameters of bone metabolism in an elderly male cohort. Furthermore, to reveal gender differences in BMD, calcium consumption rates and parameters of bone metabolism according to LCT polymorphism in an existing female cohort.


METHODS
A total of 239 men, aged 61+/-9 yr, were available from a former population based study cohort. All men were of Caucasian origin and came from the same region. Blood was sampled for genotyping of the LCT polymorphism and determination of markers of bone metabolism. All participants underwent physical examination, measurement of bone density and completed a standardized calcium questionnaire. Identical procedures had been carried out in a female cohort before (no. 350).


RESULTS
Distribution of the LCT genotype in the study cohort was 27% CC (associated with LM; adult-type hypolactasia), 55% TC and 18% TT (lactase persistence). Amounts of total ingested calcium were similar among the three genotype groups. Amounts of consumed milk were generally low in men, LCT polymorphism did not influence rates of milk consumption for men preferred other sources of calcium. BMD, markers of bone metabolism and fracture rates did not differ. General anthropometric characteristics did not differ between the LCT groups either.


CONCLUSIONS
Under conditions of low milk intake LCT polymorphism does not alter bone density, markers of bone metabolism and fractures in this cohort of elderly Caucasian men.
Gugatschka
M
M
Division of Endocrinology and Nuclear Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University Graz, Auenbruggerplatz, 8036 Graz, Austria. markus.gugatschka@klinikum-graz.at
Hoeller
A
A
Fahrleitner-Pammer
A
A
Dobnig
H
H
Pietschmann
P
P
Kudlacek
S
S
Obermayer-Pietsch
B
B
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015519:Bone Density; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D002136:Calcium, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004435:Eating; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D043322:Lactase / Q000235:genetics; D007787:Lactose Intolerance / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D013324:Strontium / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics
D002136:Calcium, Dietary; D043322:Lactase; C025700:strontium chloride; D013324:Strontium