Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 15, 2026

Ovine Lumbar Intervertebral Disc Degeneration Model Utilizing a Lateral Retroperitoneal Drill Bit Injury
Published on: May 25, 2017
VDR and GC gene polymorphisms modulate the risk of lumbar disc degeneration in Iran
Sohail Mashayekhi1, Alia Saberi2, Zivar Salehi3
1Neurosciences Research Center, Poursina Hospital, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran.
Objective:
Lumbar disc degeneration (LDD) occurs commonly in humans. Vitamin D metabolic and signaling pathway plays a significant role in intervertebral disc degeneration. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of the genetic polymorphism in the two key genes of 1,25-(OH)2-D3 pathway, VDR (vitamin D receptor) and GC (group-specific component), in LDD development.
Patients And Methods:
Two single-nucleotide polymorphisms, VDR rs2228570 (FokI) and GC rs7041, were genotyped in 180 patients with LDD and 230 healthy individuals. Genomic DNA was extracted from whole peripheral blood. VDR and GC genotyping was performed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP).
Results:
A significant difference in genotype distributions of rs2228570 in VDR and rs7041 in GC gene were observed between cases and controls (P = .01 and. 005, respectively). The VDR AA homozygous genotype was seen in 30(16.7%) patients with LDD and 20(8.7%) controls (codominant model: OR = 2.48; 95% CI 1.30-4.73, P = .005) with an estimated approximately 2.5-fold risk of developing LDD in individuals with this genotype. Moreover, higher grades of disc degeneration were more related to VDR A allele. The minor allele of GC rs7041 was associated with a decreased risk of LDD (OR = 0.69; 95% CI 0.44-0.82, P = .001).
Conclusion:
In conclusion, our results suggest for the first time that the genetic variants of VDR and GC genes contribute to genetic predisposition to LDD in Iran. These findings need further validation in the large multicenter case-control studies.
Related Concept Videos
Relative Risk
Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms-SNPs
Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC–MS)
A gas chromatograph consists of a long, narrow capillary column with a polysiloxane coating on the inner wall....
Factors Affecting Dissolution: Polymorphism, Amorphism and Pseudopolymorphism
Some polymorphic crystals possess lower aqueous solubility than their amorphous counterparts, leading to incomplete absorption. For instance, the oral suspension of Chloramphenicol, which...
Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection
The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin...
Drug Toxicity: Risk factors

