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Vitamin D and estrogen receptor-α genotype and indices of bone mass and bone turnover in Danish girls

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Abstract

Peak bone mass is a major determinant of osteoporosis risk in later life. It is under strong genetic control; however, little is known about the identity of the genes involved. In the present study, we investigated the relationship between polymorphisms in the genes encoding the vitamin D receptor (VDR) (FokI, TaqI) and estrogen receptor-α (ERα) (PvuII, XbaI), and bone mineral density (BMD), bone mineral content (BMC), and markers of bone turnover in 224 Danish girls aged 11–12 years. BMD and BMC were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Serum osteocalcin, 25(OH)D, and parathyroid hormone (PTH) were measured by ELISA assays and urinary pyridinium cross-links by HPLC. Physical activity, dietary calcium, and Tanner stage were assessed by questionnaire. In general, there were no significant differences in anthropometrical variables, physical activity, dietary calcium, serum 25(OH)D, or PTH among genotype groups. BMD or BMC of lumbar spine or whole body (adjusted for body and bone size and pubertal status) were not associated with VDR or ERα genotypes or the combination of these genotypes. This lack of association remained even after adjustment for dietary and environmental factors. VDR genotypes had no effect on bone turnover markers. XX and PP ERα genotypes were associated (P < 0.05) with reduced levels of urinary pyridinium cross-links, whereas serum osteocalcin was similar among genotypes. These findings suggest that the rate of bone resorption was influenced by ERα genotypes, even though these biochemical differences were not evident in bone mass indices.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences, and Department of Medicine, University College, Cork, Ireland

    Siobhan Cusack & Kevin D. Cashman

  2. Research Department of Human Nutrition, Centre for Advanced Food Studies, The Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Frederiksberg, Denmark

    Christian Mølgaard & Kim F. Michaelsen

  3. Danish Institute for Food and Veterinary Research, Söborg, Denmark

    Jette Jakobsen

  4. Calcium Research Unit, Department of Applied Chemistry and Microbiology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland

    Christel J.E. Lamberg-Allardt

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  1. Siobhan Cusack
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  2. Christian Mølgaard
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  3. Kim F. Michaelsen
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  4. Jette Jakobsen
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  5. Christel J.E. Lamberg-Allardt
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  6. Kevin D. Cashman
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Correspondence to Kevin D. Cashman.

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Cusack, S., Mølgaard, C., Michaelsen, K. et al. Vitamin D and estrogen receptor-α genotype and indices of bone mass and bone turnover in Danish girls. J Bone Miner Metab 24, 329–336 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00774-006-0691-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00774-006-0691-2

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