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Genetic and environmental factors in human osteoporosis from Sub-Saharan to Mediterranean areas

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Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of known gene polymorphisms associated with osteoporosis in postmenopausal normal women from Burkina Faso and Sicily, compared to postmenopausal Sicilian women with osteoporosis, and to establish the weight of environmental factors in the mechanism of osteoporosis. Bone mass density (BMD) was measured by phalangeal quantitative ultrasound (QUS) in Burkinabe woman and by the dual X-ray absorptiometry at the femoral neck in Sicilian women. The polymorphisms of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene, estrogen receptor (ESR) gene, calcitonin receptor (CTR) gene and COL1A1 collagen gene were characterized by PCR. The social characteristics of studied women were evaluated by a specific questionnaire. The observed percentages of single specific polymorphisms did not differ from that expected with exception of VDR B allele and ESR X and P allele in Burkinabe and Sicilian women, respectively. Association analyses and multivariate two-step regression model of social and molecular parameters, demonstrated that in comparison to the VDR, ESR, CTR polymorphisms, physical activities and healthy diet, associated with outdoor work are the best favourable prognostic factors for osteoporosis. A diet rich in calcium, other minerals and vitamin D in association with physical activity represents the most effective way to maintain not only a healthy bone structure but also an acceptable BMD. This is particularly true for Sub-Saharan women.

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Acknowledgments

We are deeply grateful to Dr. Father Salvatore Pignatelli, chief the Saint Camille Medical Center, to Father Vincenzo Luise and Sister Noële Zoungrana, for their skilful technical assistance. Prof. Venera Tomaselli is acknowledged for her valuable statistical analysis of collected data.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Hematology, Oncology and Molecular Medicine, National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy

    Maria Musumeci

  2. Department of Orthopaedic and Traumatology, Campus Bio-Medico University, Rome, Italy

    Gianluca Vadalà

  3. Institute of Medical and Environmental Research (IRMA), Acireale, CT, Italy

    Giovanni Tringali, Elio Insirello & Anna Maria Roccazzello

  4. Centre Medical St Camille, Ouagadougou, Burkina-Faso, Africa

    Jacques Simpore

  5. Department of Neurosciences and Mother and Child Sciences, University of Sassari, Italy, Viale San Pietro 43b, 07100, Sassari, Italy

    Salvatore Musumeci

  6. Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, National Research Council (CNR), Li Punti, SS, Italy

    Salvatore Musumeci

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  1. Maria Musumeci
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  7. Salvatore Musumeci
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Correspondence to Salvatore Musumeci.

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Musumeci, M., Vadalà, G., Tringali, G. et al. Genetic and environmental factors in human osteoporosis from Sub-Saharan to Mediterranean areas. J Bone Miner Metab 27, 424–434 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00774-009-0041-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00774-009-0041-2

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