• Gordon Gong, Gleb Haynatzki, Vera Haynatzka, Ryan Howell, Sade Kosoko-Lasaki, Yun-Xin Fu, Fei Yu, John C Gallagher, and M Roy Wilson.
• Center, University of Texas at Houston, Houston, TX, USA. gordon.gong@ttuhsc.edu
• J Natl Med Assoc. 2006 Jul 1; 98 (7): 110211081102-8.

BackgroundWe have recently reported the role of environmental exposure in the ethnic diversity of bone mineral density (BMD). Potential genetic difference has not been adequately assessed.PurposeTo determine allele frequencies of BMD-affecting genes and their association with BMD in Africans.MethodsAllele frequencies at 18 polymorphic sites in 13 genes that affect BMD in Asians and/or Caucasians were determined in 143 recent immigrants (55 men and 88 women, 18-51 years of age) from sub-Saharan Sudan to the United States. Genetic association studies were performed.ResultsAmong the 14 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), 10 were significantly different in allele frequency between Sudanese and Asians, and 10 between Sudanese and Caucasians. Only the osteocalcin gene was not significantly different in allele frequency among Sudanese, Asians and Caucasians. Allele frequencies in the TGFB, COL1A1 and CSR genes were extremely low (<0.04) in the Sudanese. Frequencies of microsatellite alleles in four genes were significantly different among Sudanese, Asians and Caucasians. SNPs in the VDR and ERalpha genes were associated with BMD and/or BMC (bone mineral content) at several bone sites.ConclusionsGenetic difference may play a role in the ethnic diversity in BMD and/or BMC.

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