Vitamin D receptor polymorphisms and bone mineral density in Mexican women without osteoporosis

Polymorphisms corresponding to Apa I, Bsm I, and Taq I restriction endonucleases at the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene and bone mineral density (BMD) at lumbar spine (L2-L4) and proximal femur (neck, Ward's triangle and trochanteric region) sites were examined in a sample of 98 Mexican women (age 55 +/- 10 years). None of the subjects were pregnant or nursing and none had a previous diagnosis of osteoporosis. Polymorphisms were assessed by the restriction fragment length polymorphism - polymerase chain reaction (RFLP-PCR) technique. Alleles were denoted with capital letters for the absence of the RFLP site (A, B, or T) and with small letters for its presence (a, b, or t). BMD was assessed by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). A structured, self-administrated questionnaire was used to obtain data on age, menopause, number of pregnancies, breast-feeding, fractures, exercise, smoking, alcohol, estrogens, calcium supplement, height, weight, and BMI. There were no differences between BMD at the skeletal sites and the genotypes disclosed by Apa I (Allele A = 0.43), Bsm I (Allele B = 0.26) and Taq I (Allele T = 0.76). The present study provides data for comparison with other studies to determine the possible value of genotyping VDR to predict predisposition for osteoporosis in Mexican or Mexican-American women. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 11:793-797, 1999. Copyright 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.