Vitamin D Receptor Gene Fok1 Polymorphism Predicts Calcium Absorption and Bone Mineral Density in Children

The vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene has been implicated as one of the major genetic components of osteoporosis. We evaluated the relationship between markers of mineral status and restriction fragment length polymorphisms of the VDR gene in 72 healthy children age 7–12 years. Using stable isotope tech...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of bone and mineral research 1999-05, Vol.14 (5), p.740-746
Main Authors: Ames, Sharla K., Ellis, Kenneth J., Gunn, Sheila K., Copeland, Kenneth C., Abrams, Steven A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Absorptiometry, Photon
Absorption
African Continental Ancestry Group - genetics
Biological and medical sciences
Bone and Bones - metabolism
Bone Density - genetics
Calcium - metabolism
Child
European Continental Ancestry Group - genetics
Female
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Genetics of eukaryotes. Biological and molecular evolution
Genotype
Human
Humans
Male
Mexican Americans - genetics
Polymorphism, Genetic
Population genetics, reproduction patterns
Receptors, Calcitriol - genetics
Skeleton and joints
Vertebrates: osteoarticular system, musculoskeletal system
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Summary:The vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene has been implicated as one of the major genetic components of osteoporosis. We evaluated the relationship between markers of mineral status and restriction fragment length polymorphisms of the VDR gene in 72 healthy children age 7–12 years. Using stable isotope techniques and dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry, we measured dietary calcium absorption, bone calcium deposition rates, and total body bone mineral density (BMD). The Fok1 polymorphism at the VDR translation initiation site was significantly associated with BMD (p = 0.02) and calcium absorption (p = 0.04). Children who were FF homozygotes had a mean calcium absorption that was 41.5% greater than those who were ff homozygotes and 17% greater absorption than Ff heterozygotes. BMD was 8.2% greater in the FF genotype than the ff genotype and 4.8% higher than the Ff genotype. These results suggest a substantial relationship between the VDR gene and bone metabolism at one or more levels, including dietary absorption of calcium and BMD in growing children.
ISSN:0884-0431
1523-4681
DOI:10.1359/jbmr.1999.14.5.740