title: Single-nucleotide polymorphism of the osteoprotegerin gene and its association with bone mineral density in Chinese postmenopausal women.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Osteoporosis is a common complex and polygenic disease in postmenopausal women, which is characterized by a decrease in bone mineral density (BMD). The osteoprotegerin (OPG) is an important candidate gene in the pathogenesis of osteoporosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the OPG gene and BMD.
  
  
  METHODS
  OPG gene polymorphisms and BMD were analyzed in 352 Chinese postmenopausal women. BMD was quantified at the lumbar spine (L2-4), femoral neck, and total hip.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Through polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and DNA sequencing methods, an allelic variant corresponding to the G→A mutations at position 23276 in exon 3 of the OPG gene could be detected. The association between g.23276 G>A polymorphisms and BMD was analyzed, and a significant association was found between g.23276 G>A and spine BMD. The mean of genotype GG was significantly higher than those of genotype GA and AA. There was no significant difference in neck hip BMD and total hip BMD among different genotypes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings suggested that g.23276 G>A genotypes in the OPG gene were associated with spine BMD in Chinese postmenopausal women. The A-allele was associated with lower BMD and an increased risk for osteoporosis.
authors: Department of Joint Surgery, Tianjing Hospital, Tianjin 300211, People's Republic of China.
authors: Guixi
authors: G
authors: Feng
authors: Limin
authors: L
authors: Meng
authors: Hui
authors: H
authors: Wang
authors: Yun
authors: Y
authors: Lu
authors: Jian
authors: J
authors: Jia
authors: Yinguang
authors: Y
authors: Zhang
authors: Haibin
authors: H
authors: Zhang
authors: Bo
authors: B
authors: Zhang
mesh_terms: D015519:Bone Density / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D015663:Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D053244:Osteoprotegerin / Q000235:genetics*; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D053244:Osteoprotegerin; C506030:TNFRSF11B protein, human