FokI vitamin D receptor gene polymorphism and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D in patients with cardiovascular risk

Association of vitamin D receptor polymorphisms with cardiometabolic conditions in Pakistani population

Apart from bone related effects, vitamin D has roles in immune modulation, hypertension, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Metabolic functions of vitamin D are mediated after binding with vitamin D receptor (VDR). VDR polymorphisms affect its physiological functions. Several VDR single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were reported previously. However, VDR polymorphisms causing influence on cardiovascular and metabolic disorders have not been investigated in the Pakistani population so far. Therefore, the present study was conducted to evaluate the role of VDR polymorphisms (rs2228570 and rs7975232) in the pathobiology of cardiometabolic disorders. In total, 400 cardiometabolic patients and 226 healthy control human adults were enrolled from Faisalabad, Pakistan. Biochemical parameters (serum glucose, liver function test, renal function test and lipid profile) were analyzed by standard kit methods. Genetic analysis was done by ARMS-PCR assay. Data was analyzed in SPSS v20. Regression analysis revealed that GG and AG genotypes of rs2228570 A>G polymorphism significantly increased the risk of hypertension in cardiovascular patients by 5.29 and 5.94 times respectively (GG: OR=5.29, 95% CI=1.63-17.2, p=0.005; AG: OR=5.94, 95% CI=1.70-20.7, p=0.005). However, rs7975232 C>A polymorphism was not correlated with cardiometabolic conditions. In conclusion, GG and AG genotypes of VDR SNP rs2228570 significantly contribute to hypertension in cardiovascular disease patients.

Vitamin D-Related Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms as Risk Biomarker of Cardiovascular Disease

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a group of disorders of the heart and blood vessels. In addition to environmental risk factors, genetic predisposition increases the risk; this includes alterations in the vitamin D receptor gene (VDR). These alterations play a key role in modifying vitamin D uptake, being able to modify its function and increasing susceptibility to cardiovascular disorders. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of polymorphisms in the VDR gene and risk of CVD in a Caucasian population. A retrospective case-control study was conducted comprising 246 CVD patients and 246 controls of Caucasian origin from Southern Spain. The genetic polymorphisms BsmI (rs1544410), TaqI (rs731236), ApaI (rs7975232), FokI (rs2228570) and Cdx2 (rs11568820) were determined by means of real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for allelic discrimination using TaqMan® probes. The logistic regression analysis adjusted for body mass index and diabetes revealed that the TT genotype was associated with a higher risk of CVD in both the genotypic model (p = 0.0430; OR = 2.30; 95% CI = 1.06–5.37; TT vs. CC) and the recessive model (p = 0.0099; OR = 2.71; 95% CI = 1.31–6.07; TT vs. C). Haplotype analysis revealed that the haplotype GAC (p = 0.047; OR = 0.34; 95% CI = 0.12–0.98) was associated with increased risk of CVD. The VDR polymorphisms FokI (rs2228570) was significantly associated with the development of CVD. No influence was observed of the VDR polymorphisms BsmI (rs1544410), TaqI (rs731236), ApaI (rs7975232) and Cdx2 (rs11568820) on the risk of developing CVD in the patients studied.

Impact of Genetic Risk Score and Dietary Protein Intake on Vitamin D Status in Young Adults from Brazil

Given the relationship between vitamin D deficiency (VDD) and adverse outcomes of metabolic diseases, we investigated the interplay of dietary and genetic components on vitamin D levels and metabolic traits in young adults from Brazil. Genetic analysis, dietary intake, and anthropometric and biochemical measurements were performed in 187 healthy young adults (19−24 years). Genetic risk scores (GRS) from six genetic variants associated with vitamin D (vitamin D-GRS) and 10 genetic variants associated with metabolic disease (metabolic-GRS) were constructed. High vitamin D-GRS showed a significant association with low 25(OH)D concentrations (p = 0.001) and high metabolic-GRS showed a significant association with high fasting insulin concentrations (p = 0.045). A significant interaction was found between vitamin D-GRS and total protein intake (g/day) (adjusted for non-animal protein) on 25(OH)D (pinteraction = 0.006), where individuals consuming a high protein diet (≥73 g/d) and carrying >4 risk alleles for VDD had significantly lower 25(OH)D (p = 0.002) compared to individuals carrying ≤4 risk alleles. Even though our study did not support a link between metabolic-GRS and vitamin D status, our study has demonstrated a novel interaction, where participants with high vitamin D-GRS and consuming ≥73 g of protein/day had significantly lower 25(OH)D levels. Further research is necessary to evaluate the role of animal protein consumption on VDD in Brazilians.

Vitamin D receptor gene polymorphism predicts left ventricular hypertrophy in maintenance hemodialysis

Background

To verify that the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) of vitamin D receptor (VDR) may lead to genetic susceptibility to left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), the present study was designed to study four SNPs of VDR associated with LVH in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients of Han nationality.

Methods

120 MHD patients were recruited at Department of Nephrology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University to analyze the expression of genotype, allele and haplotype of Fok I, Bsm I, Apa I and Taq I in blood samples, and to explore their correlation with blood biochemical indexes and ventricular remodeling.

Results

The results showed that the risks of CVD included gender, dialysis time, heart rate, SBP, glycated hemoglobin, calcium, iPTH and CRP concentration. Moreover, LAD, LVDd, LVDs, IVST and LVMI in B allele of Bsm I increased significantly. Fok I, Apa I and Taq I polymorphisms have no significant difference between MHD with LVH and without LVH. Further study showed that VDR expression level decreased significantly in MHD patients with LVH, and the B allele was positively correlated with VDR Expression.

Conclusion

VDR Bsm I gene polymorphism may predict cardiovascular disease risk of MDH patients, and provided theoretical basis for early detection and prevention of cardiovascular complications.

Vitamin D levels and vitamin D receptor genetic variants in Egyptian cardiovascular disease patients with and without diabetes

Background

25-Hydroxyvitamin D (Vit.D) levels associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) may vary according to genetic variants in the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene. However, the existing results are not conclusive in the Egyptian population, where diabetes mellitus is a common CVD risk factor. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the role of VDR polymorphism in Egyptian patients with CVD by studying the association of the rs2228570 (FokI) and rs1544410 (BsmI) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the VDR gene and serum levels of Vit.D with several CVD risk factors in patients with and without diabetes mellitus. We studied the genotypes for rs2228570 (FokI) and rs1544410 (BsmI) SNPs of the VDR gene in 382 Egyptian patients (120 CVD patients with diabetes, 124 CVD patients without diabetes, 69 diabetic patients without CVD and 69 healthy individuals). We also determined the serum levels of Vit.D, insulin, lipids, fasting blood glucose (FBG), and the body mass index (BMI).

Results

The distribution of genotypes and allelic frequencies of the rs2228570 (FokI) and rs1544410 (BsmI) SNPs of the VDR gene was significant in CVD patients (p < 0.001). The level of Vit.D was significantly lower in patients with CVD and diabetes compared to those without diabetes (p < 0.001). Moreover, there was a significant association between Vit.D level and the selected SNPs with serum lipids, BMI, FBG, and insulin levels in CVD patients with or without diabetes.

Conclusion

The level of Vit.D and the distribution of VDR polymorphisms are associated with risk of CVD in Egyptian patients with or without diabetes. These results suggest that VDR polymorphisms may be potential diagnostic biomarkers for CVD susceptibility.

Association Between FokI Polymorphism of Vitamin D Receptor Gene and Lumbar Spine Disc Degeneration: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the present meta-analysis was to explore the association between FokI polymorphism of the vitamin D receptor gene and lumbar spine disc degeneration.

DESIGN

The search was performed in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases up to January 2020. The authors selected nine studies comprising a total of 1549 cases and 1672 controls. The association analysis included the allelic, dominant, recessive, homozygous, and heterozygous genetic models. Odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were used to evaluate the association. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used to measure the quality of the studies included in the analyses; a cut-off of 6 stars was applied.

RESULTS

This meta-analysis indicated that FokI polymorphism is significantly associated with lumbar degenerative disc disorder and disc herniation in the homozygous (odds ratio, 1.77; 95% confidence interval, 1.23-2.54; Z test P = 0.002, Q test P = 0.416) and recessive (odds ratio, 1.53; 95% confidence interval, 1.23-1.90; Z test P < 0.000, Q test P = 0.224) models.

CONCLUSIONS

This study indicates that the vitamin D receptor gene FokI polymorphism may be correlated with the risk of developing a lumbar degenerative disc disorder and disc herniation. However, the small sample population studied and the lack of an evaluation of environmental factors must be taken as limitations in the present meta-analysis.