Korean J Lab Med.  2003 Aug;23(4):234-241.

Effects of Estrogen Receptor Polymorphisms on Bone Markers and Serum Lipid Levels

• Choi HS
• Lee NY
• Won DI
• Lee JB
• Song JH
• Song KE

Abstract

BACKGROUND
In post-menopausal women, osteoporosis and cardiovascular diseases which are partly due to estrogen deficiency, occur more common than in pre-menopause women. Estrogen action is supposed to be mediated by an estrogen receptor (ER) and two polymorphisms of the ER gene in particular, Pvu II and Xba I, have been described for several years for genetic association studies. Authors have investigated the frequencies and patterns of the ER gene polymorphisms and their association with bone markers and lipid levels. METHODS: For 121 women who visited the health promotion center of Kyungpook National University Hospital, the ER gene polymorphisms were determined by the Pvu II and Xba I restriction enzymes following polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: The distributions of ER Pvu II and Xba I restriction fragment length polymorphisms were as follows: PP 15.7%, Pp 47.9%, pp 36.4% and XX 5.8%, Xx 31.4%, xx 62.8%, respectively. And in a combination of two polymorphisms, ppxx was the most common, followed by PpXx, Ppxx, PPXx, PPXX and PPxx in that order. No significant genotypic differences were found in bone mineral density, bone markers and menopausal status. LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels were significantly different by genotypes in premenopausal women (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that ER polymorphisms might be associated with LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Further evaluation in a larger population would be helpful to determine the effects of ER polymorphisms on lipid metabolism and therapeutic trial for cardiovascular diseases in women.

Keyword

Osteoporosis; Estrogen Receptor gene polymorphism; Bone marker; Lipid

MeSH Terms

Bone Density
Cardiovascular Diseases
Cholesterol, LDL
Estrogens*
Female
Genetic Association Studies
Genotype
Gyeongsangbuk-do
Health Promotion
Humans
Lipid Metabolism
Osteoporosis
Polymerase Chain Reaction
Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length
Premenopause
Triglycerides
Cholesterol, LDL
Estrogens