BsmI polymorphism in the vitamin D receptor gene is associated with leg extensor muscle strength in elderly men
Gulistan Bahat1, Bulent Saka1, Nilgun Erten1, Ugur Ozbek2, Ender Coskunpinar2, Safinaz Yildiz3, Turker Sahinkaya3 and Mehmet Akif Karan1
1Department of Internal Medicine, Istanbul Medical School, Istanbul University, 2Department of Genetics, Institute for Experimental Medicine (DETAE), Istanbul University, 3Department of Sports Medicine, Istanbul Medical School, Istanbul University, Turkey

Background and aims: Sarcopenia is defined as a reduction in skeletal muscle mass, strength, and endurance observed with advancing age. Although Vitamin D receptor (VDR) polymorphism is reported to be associated with muscle mass and strength, evidence for this is limited and conflicting. In this study, we examined the association between the polymorphisms of VDR gene BsmI, TaqI and FokI and muscular mass and strength in elderly men. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study conducted in a university hospital. One hundred and twenty men over 65 years of age participated, all participants were active men living independently in Istanbul, who were followed as outpatients in geriatric polyclinics. Most common diagnoses were hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and mild to moderate osteoarthritis. Morbid obese patients were not included in the study. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood, and VDR genotypes were determined by the polymerase chain reaction. The peak torque of the knee flexors and extensors was measured on a Cybex 350 dynamometer. Body muscle mass was calculated by using bioelectric impedance analysis. Results: The extensor strength of the knee was higher in BB homozygotic men than in the Bb/bb group. No significant association was found with TaqI and FokI haplotypes. There was no significant association between muscle mass and strength, or between muscle mass and VDR genotype. Conclusion: Our data suggest that VDR gene BsmI polymorphism is associated with muscular strength in elderly men. (Aging Clin Exp Res 2010; 22: 198-205) ©2010, Editrice Kurtis

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