VITAMIN-D-RECEPTOR GENE POLYMORPHISMS, BONE TURNOVER, AND RATES OF BONE LOSS IN OLDER AFRICAN-AMERICAN WOMEN

Bone mineral density (BMD) is under genetic control, Some studies in C aucasian and Asian women suggest that polymorphisms in the vitamin D r eceptor (VDR) gene are associated with BMD and the rate of postmenopau sal bone loss, We determined if similar associations exist in 101 Afri can-American women aged 65 years and older (71 +/- 5 years, mean +/- S D). We also examined the relation between VDR genotype and fractional Ca-45 absorption and markers of bone formation (osteocalcin) and resor ption (N-telopeptides) in these women, BMD was measured at the proxima l femur and whole body at baseline and after 1.9 +/- 0.4 years (femur only) on a Hologic QDR-2000 densitometer using dual-energy X-ray absor ptiometry, Calcaneal BMD was measured with single x-ray absorptiometry , VDR gene polymorphisms were defined by the endonucleases BsmI, ApaI, and TaqI. These polymorphisms were not associated with BMD at any ske letal site or with markers of bone turnover, There was a significant i nteraction between age and VDR genotype where the oldest women (>70 ye ars) with the tt genotype experienced greater hip bone loss than women with the TT genotype (-2.1%/year vs. -0.4%/year, respectively), where as heterozygous women experienced an intermediate rate of bone loss (- 1.3%/year). Women homozygous for the B allele had 14% lower fractional Ca-45 absorption compared with women homozygous for the b allele, alt hough this difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.08). We conclude that VDR gene polymorphisms are not associated with BMD or i ndices of bone turnover in this population of older African-American w omen. However, DNA sequence variation in the VDR gene or a nearby locu s may influence intestinal calcium transport and the rate of postmenop ausal bone loss in African-American women.