Recent studies have implicated variation in the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene in susceptibility to several diseases, including osteoporosis and pulmonary tuberculosis.
A number of studies have reported correlations between vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphisms and several diseases including prostate cancer and osteoporosis.
VDR alleles are significant independent predictors of peak femoral neck, but not lumbar spine BMD, even after adjusting for family history of osteoporosis, weight, age, and exercise.
In an ethnically homogeneous population of women living in Tuscany, Italy, the relationships between age, body weight, bone mineral density and the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphism were studied, with the objective of recognizing patients at risk for osteoporosis.
Although several candidate genes, such as the vitamin-D-receptor gene or the estrogen-receptor gene, have been suggested in the pathogenesis of osteoporosis, the genetic dissection of this disorder remains a daunting task.
Although polymorphisms of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene have been suggested to account for some of the genetic variation in bone mass, the influence of VDR genotypes on osteoporosis remains controversial.
Irrespective of the strength or mechanism of these associations, these initial findings on the VDR stimulated the field of the genetics of osteoporosis with targeted genetic studies and now genome scan approaches.
Because the f VDR genotype has been associated with lower bone mineral density in diverse populations, one factor contributing to a genetic predisposition to osteoporosis may be the F/f polymorphism that dictates VDR isoforms with differential TFIIB interaction.
Our results indicate, for the first time, an association between Graves' disease and a VDR polymorphism in the Japanese and suggest that a VDR-FokI polymorphism may affect bone mineral metabolism and can predict risk of osteoporosis as a complication of Graves' disease in patients in remission.
In view of the reported associations between osteoporosis and polymorphisms of the vitamin D receptor (VDR), collagen Ialpha1 (COLIA1) and estrogen receptor (ER) genes, an association study was performed between VDR, COLLIA1, and ER genotypes and bone mineral density, biochemical markers of bone turnover and hip fracture occurrence in Belgian older postmenopausal women.
Our results indicate, for the first time, an association between Graves' disease and a VDR polymorphism in the Japanese and suggest that a VDR-FokI polymorphism may affect bone mineral metabolism and can predict risk of osteoporosis as a complication of Graves' disease in patients in remission.
An association of some VDR genotypes with osteoporosis, primary hyperparathyroidism, and some autoimmune diseases, such as insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and multiple sclerosis, has been reported.
With increasing recognition of osteoporosis and related fractures in men, it is of interest to consider whether there is relationship between bone density and vitamin D receptor (VDR) polymorphisms, as described in women.
Polymorphisms in the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene have been implicated in osteoporosis but explain only a small part of the genetic effect on bone mineral density (BMD) while their effect on fractures is still uncertain.