title: Association between the aggrecan gene variable number of tandem repeats polymorphism and intervertebral disc degeneration.
abstract: METHODS
  Cross-sectional study.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To examine the association between an aggrecan variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) polymorphism and intervertebral disc degeneration in middle-aged Finnish men.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  An association between the aggrecan VNTR polymorphism and multilevel disc degeneration has been previously reported in young Japanese women.
  
  
  METHODS
  Lumbar discs of 132 men representing 3 occupations (carpenters, machine drivers, and office workers) were evaluated on magnetic resonance imaging, using decreased signal intensity of the nucleus pulposus, disc bulges, and decreased disc height as signs of degeneration. The aggrecan gene VNTR region was analyzed by Southern hybridization.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The allele A26 with 26 repeats was statistically significantly overrepresented among the persons with dark nucleus pulposus. Carrying 2 copies of the A26 allele increased the risk of dark nucleus pulposus (odds ratio = 2.77; 95% confidence interval, 1.24-6.16). Carrying the alleles with either less or more than 26 repeats decreased the risk of dark nucleus pulposus. The carpenters and machine drivers with the A26 allele had a statistically significantly higher risk of disc bulge and decreased disc height than the office workers without the allele.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings provide additional support for the role of the aggrecan gene VNTR polymorphism in intervertebral disc degeneration.
authors.affiliation: Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland. Svetlana.Solovieva@ttl.fi
authors.forename: Svetlana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Solovieva
authors.forename: Noora
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Noponen
authors.forename: Minna
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Männikkö
authors.forename: Päivi
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Leino-Arjas
authors.forename: Katariina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Luoma
authors.forename: Raili
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Raininko
authors.forename: Leena
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ala-Kokko
authors.forename: Hilkka
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Riihimäki
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D053674:Aggrecans / Q000235:genetics*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004252:DNA Mutational Analysis; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D051445:Fibrocartilage / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005787:Gene Frequency; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000235:genetics*; D005820:Genetic Testing; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D007403:Intervertebral Disc / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018598:Minisatellite Repeats / Q000235:genetics*; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016474:Weight-Bearing / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: C508319:ACAN protein, human; D053674:Aggrecans