Vitamin D gene polymorphism with susceptibility to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in smokers

Abstract

Objective To detect the correlations between polymorphisms of vitamin D receptor (VDR) genes and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in smokers. Methods Fifty smoking COPD patients and fifty smoking volunteers were enrolled in the study.Polymorphisms of VDR genes including Apa I, Bsm I and Taq I were detected by using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragments length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Correlations between VDR gene polymorphisms and the susceptibility to COPD in smokers were analyzed. Results There was a statistically significant difference in the frequency distributions of aa, Aa and AA genotypes between the smoking COPD group and the smoking control group (P<0.05). Using the Aa+ AA genotype as a reference, individuals carrying the aa genotype increased the risk of COPD in smokers (OR=2.786, 95%CI: 1.215-6.389). There was a statistically significant difference in the frequency distributions of a and A alleles between the two groups (P<0.05). Compared with carrying allele A, individuals carrying allele a increased the risk of COPD in smokers (OR=1.897, 95% CI: 1.042-3.457). There was no statistically significant difference in genotype frequency distribution of Bsm I and Taq I between the two groups. Conclusions Apa I gene polymorphism may increase the susceptibility of COPD in smokers, while Bsm I and Taq I gene polymorphisms may not be associated with the susceptibility of COPD in smokers. Key words: Pulmonary disease, chronic obstructive; Vitamin D receptor; Polymorphism; Smokers