Association between an intronic apolipoprotein E polymorphism and bone mineral density in Singaporean Chinese females.
BACKGROUND
Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) is implicated in the pathogenesis of osteoporosis.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate possible association of the non-classical APOE gene +113C/G (rs440446) intron 1 enhancer polymorphism with bone mineral density (BMD) in a homogeneous Chinese population in Singapore.


METHODS
A total of 655 volunteers, males and females, aged between 31 and 72 years, from the public participated. BMD was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and APOE +113C/G (rs440446) genotypes were determined by Sequenom MassARRAY system. To adjust for potential confounders, anthropometric, demographic, and lifestyle determinants were obtained, and serum lipids and E(2) were measured.


RESULTS
The +113C/G (rs440446) polymorphism within the APOE gene was associated with BMD in Chinese Singaporean females only. Females with the heterozygous CG genotype were significantly associated with reduced total, lumbar spine, and femoral neck of hip BMD, after multilevel adjustment of confounders. The association was stronger in the spine than in the hip. When females were stratified according to WHO classification for osteoporosis, those with CG and GG genotypes had increased risk (OR 3.50 and 2.22, respectively) of developing osteopenia/osteoporosis in the lumbar spine. Serum lipids did not explain the influence of APOE +113 C/G (rs440446) on BMD.


CONCLUSIONS
This study demonstrated an association between APOE +113C/G (rs440446) polymorphism with measures of BMD in Singaporean Chinese females.
Tong
Terry Y Y
TY
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University Health System, 119074, Singapore. terry_tong@nuhs.edu.sg
Yong
Rita Y Y
RY
Goh
Victor H H
VH
Liang
Shen
S
Chong
Alicia P L
AP
Mok
Helen P P
HP
Yong
Eu Leong
EL
Yap
Eric P H
EP
Moochhala
Shabbir
S
D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001057:Apolipoproteins E / Q000235:genetics*; D044466:Asian People / Q000235:genetics*; D015519:Bone Density / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D007438:Introns / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D012846:Singapore
D001057:Apolipoproteins E