A polymorphism in the inhibin alpha-subunit gene is associated with bone mineral density (BMD) and serum inhibin b (INH b) concentrations in men

Abstract

Event Abstract Back to Event A polymorphism in the inhibin alpha-subunit gene is associated with bone mineral density (BMD) and serum inhibin b (INH b) concentrations in men S Sim1*, I Fogelman2 and G Hampson1 1 St Thomas' Hospital, Department of Clinical Chemistry, United Kingdom 2 Guy's Hospital, Osteoporosis Clinic, United Kingdom {BR}Osteoporosis is a common complex polygenic disorder. However, the genes identified so far explain only a small proportion of the total genetic variation. New pathways may be implicated, particularly in men. The endocrine pathway involving the inhibins may be of importance. The inhibin alpha-subunit (INH-alpha) gene is proposed as a candidate gene because of its role in a feedback loop with sex hormones and gonadotrophins and its direct effect on bone remodelling. The aim of the study was to investigate the possible association between a polymorphic variant in the INH-alpha gene with BMD and circulating inh B in men. {BR}We studied 146 men aged mean [SD] 57 [13.7] years, 54 with osteoporosis and 92 controls. The polymorphism -16C>T in the 5'UTR of INH-alpha gene was screened in all subjects. BMD was measured at lumbar spine (LS), femoral neck (FN) and total hip (TH). Serum concentrations of FSH, LH, testosterone, inh B were determined. {BR}The prevalence of CC was 60%, CT: 37% and TT: 3%. After correction for age, height, weight and risk factors such as smoking habits, alcohol intake, exercise, dietary calcium intake , previous fracture, we found a significant independent association between INH-alpha genotype and BMD at the LS (p= 0.042). Z- score at the LS was lower in subjects with 'CT' and 'TT' genotype compared to 'CC' ( mean [SEM] ; CT/TT : - 1.03 [0.17], CC : -0.5[0.21] p=0.08). In a multi-linear regression model, which included the gonadotrophins and serum testosterone, INH-alpha genotype was found to be independently associated with serum inh B (p= 0.043). Subjects with the 'CC' genotype had higher serum inh B concentrations compared to 'CT' and 'TT' genotypes (mean [SEM]; CC: 129.8 [9.34], CT/TT: 106 [8.4] pg/ml, p=0.06). {BR}These preliminary data suggest that INH-alpha gene and the endocrine pathway involving the gonadal peptides, inhibin A and B, may be involved in the pathogenesis of osteoporosis in men. Further larger studies are needed for confirmation. Keywords: Bones, Bone Research Conference: 2011 joint meeting of the Bone Research Society & the British Orthopaedic Research Society, Cambridge, United Kingdom, 27 Jun - 29 Jun, 2011. Presentation Type: Poster Topic: Abstracts Citation: Sim S, Fogelman I and Hampson G (2011). A polymorphism in the inhibin alpha-subunit gene is associated with bone mineral density (BMD) and serum inhibin b (INH b) concentrations in men. Front. Endocrinol. Conference Abstract: 2011 joint meeting of the Bone Research Society & the British Orthopaedic Research Society. doi: 10.3389/conf.fendo.2011.02.00061 Copyright: The abstracts in this collection have not been subject to any Frontiers peer review or checks, and are not endorsed by Frontiers. They are made available through the Frontiers publishing platform as a service to conference organizers and presenters. The copyright in the individual abstracts is owned by the author of each abstract or his/her employer unless otherwise stated. Each abstract, as well as the collection of abstracts, are published under a Creative Commons CC-BY 4.0 (attribution) licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) and may thus be reproduced, translated, adapted and be the subject of derivative works provided the authors and Frontiers are attributed. For Frontiers’ terms and conditions please see https://www.frontiersin.org/legal/terms-and-conditions. Received: 30 Sep 2011; Published Online: 30 Sep 2011. * Correspondence: Ms. S Sim, St Thomas' Hospital, Department of Clinical Chemistry, London, United Kingdom, selina.sim@kcl.ac.uk Login Required This action requires you to be registered with Frontiers and logged in. To register or login click here. Abstract Info Abstract The Authors in Frontiers S Sim I Fogelman G Hampson Google S Sim I Fogelman G Hampson Google Scholar S Sim I Fogelman G Hampson PubMed S Sim I Fogelman G Hampson Related Article in Frontiers Google Scholar PubMed Abstract Close Back to top Javascript is disabled. Please enable Javascript in your browser settings in order to see all the content on this page.