Vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms are associated with adiposity phenotypes.
BACKGROUND
Emerging data suggest a role for the vitamin D receptor (VDR) in lipogenesis and adipocyte differentiation.


OBJECTIVE
Our objective was to evaluate the association of VDR gene variants and adiposity phenotypes in an epidemiologic study.


METHODS
In a sample of 1773 healthy female adults recruited from western New York, we tested for the association of 14 VDR single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with the following 3 adiposity phenotypes: body mass index (in kg/m²), waist circumference (in cm), and abdominal height (in cm). We examined age, education, total energy intake, smoking status, alcohol intake, and menopausal status as potential covariates.


RESULTS
One SNP, rs3782905, remained associated with all 3 adiposity phenotypes after multiple-testing correction (Bonferroni-adjusted P = 0.004). The mean waist circumference for women with the rs3782905 homozygous rare genotype was 4.4 cm larger than for women with the common homozygous genotype. Two other VDR SNPs were associated with waist circumference and abdominal height, but the associations did not survive multiple-testing correction. Adjustment for covariates did not influence the results.


CONCLUSIONS
The study results and the biological activity of VDR in adipocyte differentiation suggest that 3' VDR variants may play a role in adiposity phenotypes.
Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health and Health Professions, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA. hmochs2@buffalo.edu
Heather M
HM
Ochs-Balcom
Raj
R
Chennamaneni
Amy E
AE
Millen
Peter G
PG
Shields
Catalin
C
Marian
Maurizio
M
Trevisan
Jo L
JL
Freudenheim
D050154:Adiposity; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015992:Body Mass Index; D000071616:CDX2 Transcription Factor; D005260:Female; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010641:Phenotype; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D018167:Receptors, Calcitriol / Q000235:genetics*; D015534:Trans-Activators / Q000502:physiology; D055105:Waist Circumference
D000071616:CDX2 Transcription Factor; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D018167:Receptors, Calcitriol; D015534:Trans-Activators