Abstract
BackgroundThe high prevalence of low bone mass in young women in Japan has emerged as a serious health issue in recent years. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to reevaluate the relationship between genetic and dietary factors, as well as its influence on bone mass in young Japanese women, with particular emphasis on vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphisms and calcium intake.MethodsA total of 499 Japanese women aged 20–24 years were enrolled in the study. The bone mass of the calcaneus was assessed using the quantitative ultrasound method and expressed as the osteo sono-assessment index (OSI). VDR gene polymorphisms (BsmI, TaqI, ApaI, and FokI) were analyzed using DNA extracted from saliva. Calcium intake was assessed using the Food Frequency Questionnaire based on food groups (FFQg) and adjusted with the energy intake. Participants were divided into two groups based on the median calcium intake (250 mg/1000 kcal).ResultsConsequently, bone mass was significantly different among the BsmI and TaqI genotypes after adjusting for body mass index (BMI) (p = 0.030 and 0.019, respectively). In addition, the BsmI AA and ApaI GT genotypes showed significant differences in bone mass between the calcium-intake groups, with low OSI in the low-calcium intake group and high OSI in the high-calcium intake group, respectively, even after adjusting for BMI (p = 0.020 and 0.038, respectively).ConclusionsThese findings may prove instrumental in developing a logical approach towards preventing bone loss in young Japanese women.
Highlights
The high prevalence of low bone mass in young women in Japan has emerged as a serious health issue in recent years
As we have previously elucidated the relationship between bone mass and Cdx2, a representative single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of vitamin D receptor (VDR) genes [32], the present study focused on four representative VDR gene polymorphisms other than Cdx2, including BsmI, TaqI, ApaI, and FokI
The present study shows that the VDR BsmI and TaqI genotypes are potentially associated with bone mass in young Japanese women
Summary
The high prevalence of low bone mass in young women in Japan has emerged as a serious health issue in recent years. In Japan, as well as in several developed countries, an increasing prevalence of low body weight among the younger generation poses a critical health issue. According to a study of high school students in Japan, the United States, China, and Korea conducted by the National Institution for Youth Education in 2018, the lowest BMI was Sakamoto et al BMC Women’s Health (2021) 21:76 computed for Japanese high school students among the youth of all four countries [2]. To impede the progression of osteoporosis, it is crucial to prevent postmenopausal bone loss and to boost bone mass at a younger age [10]. Augmenting BMD in women in this age range is important for maintaining bone health and preventing osteoporosis throughout their lifetime
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