Abstract

Osteoporosis is the loss of bone density and it increases the risk of fracture. The FokI polymorphism (C>T; rs2228570) of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) has a significant correlation with bone mineral density (BMD) reduction. Deficiencies of trace elements increase the risk of osteoporosis during menopause. This study aimed to compare and correlate bone-related parameters and trace elements and to identify FokI genotypes and estimate its osteoporosis risk between normal and risk groups of postmenopausal women. Seventy subjects were randomly recruited in this study. BMD was determined by a quantitative ultrasound bone densitometer. The normal group (N = 24) included women with normal BMD status, while the low-BMD group (N = 46) included women with osteoporosis and osteopenia. Serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) were measured by an automatic analyzer. Serum zinc (Zn) and selenium (Se) were extracted and analyzed by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry. The FokI genotypes of the VDR gene were amplified and identified by the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. BMD was significantly negatively correlated with ALP and Ca (r = −0.239 and −0.673) and positively correlated with Mg and Zn (r = 0.327 and 0.383). The homozygous recessive (TT) genotype of the FokI polymorphism was susceptible to osteoporosis (odds ratio = 2.69). We concluded that FokI Single nucleotide polymorphisms and bone markers may be useful in osteoporosis management in Thai postmenopausal women.

Key words: bone marker, bone mineral density (BMD), FokI polymorphism, osteoporosis, trace elements, vitamin D receptor