Relationship between vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms (BsmI, TaqI, ApaI, and FokI) and calcium intake on bone mass in young Japanese women

• Published in: BMC women's health Vol. 21; no. 1; pp. 76 - 8
• Main Authors: Sakamoto, Yuri, Oono, Fumi, Iida, Kaoruko, Wang, Pao-Li, Tachi, Yoichi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London BioMed Central 19.02.2021; BioMed Central Ltd; BMC
• Subjects: Alfacalcidol; Bone mass; Bones; Calcifediol; Calcium intake; Calcium, Dietary; Density; Genetic polymorphisms; Genotyping; Gynecology; Health aspects; Maternal and Child Health; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Osteoporosis; Physiological aspects; Premenopausal women; Reproductive Medicine; Research Article; Vitamin D; Vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms; Womens health behaviors and health promotion; Young women; Japan; Osteoporosis; Calcium intake; Bone mass; Genotyping; Premenopausal women; Vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms
• ISSN: 1472-6874; 1472-6874
• DOI: 10.1186/s12905-021-01222-7

Background The high prevalence of low bone mass in young women in Japan has emerged as a serious health issue in recent years. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to reevaluate the relationship between genetic and dietary factors, as well as its influence on bone mass in young Japanese women, with particular emphasis on vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphisms and calcium intake. Methods A total of 499 Japanese women aged 20–24 years were enrolled in the study. The bone mass of the calcaneus was assessed using the quantitative ultrasound method and expressed as the osteo sono-assessment index (OSI). VDR gene polymorphisms ( Bsm I, Taq I, Apa I, and Fok I) were analyzed using DNA extracted from saliva. Calcium intake was assessed using the Food Frequency Questionnaire based on food groups (FFQg) and adjusted with the energy intake. Participants were divided into two groups based on the median calcium intake (250 mg/1000 kcal). Results Consequently, bone mass was significantly different among the Bsm I and Taq I genotypes after adjusting for body mass index (BMI) ( p  = 0.030 and 0.019, respectively). In addition, the Bsm I AA and Apa I GT genotypes showed significant differences in bone mass between the calcium-intake groups, with low OSI in the low-calcium intake group and high OSI in the high-calcium intake group, respectively, even after adjusting for BMI ( p  = 0.020 and 0.038, respectively). Conclusions These findings may prove instrumental in developing a logical approach towards preventing bone loss in young Japanese women.