Vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms and risk of intervertebral disc degeneration

Abstract

Background: Numerous studies have investigated the associations between Vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphisms and risk of intervertebral disc degeneration but the results remain controversial. This study aimed to drive a more precise estimation of association between VDR gene polymorphisms and risk of intervertebral disc degeneration. Methods: PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane library, Web of Science and China Knowledge Resource Integrated Database for papers on VDR gene polymorphisms and risk of intervertebral disc degeneration were searched. The pooled odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to assess the strength of association in the homozygote model, heterozygote model, dominant model, recessive model and an additive model. Results: Overall, 23 articles were included in the final meta-analysis. The subgroup analyses by ethnicity showed a significant association of VDR FokI mutation with disc degeneration risk in Caucasians (recessive model, OR with 95%CI 1.301, [1.041, 1.626]; additive model, OR with 95%CI 1.119, [1.006, 1.245]). The results of subgroup analyses by ethnicity showed a significant association of VDR TaqI mutation with disc degeneration risk in Asians but not in Caucasians. There was a significant association between VDR ApaI mutation and risk of disc degeneration and subgroup analyses by ethnicity showed a significant association in Caucasians and in Asians. Conclusions: In summary, VDR FokI polymorphisms was associated with disc degeneration risk among Caucasians but not Asians, VDR TaqI polymorphisms was associated with disc degeneration risk among Asians but not Caucasians, while VDR ApaI polymorphism was associated with disc degeneration risk among Asians and Caucasians.

Targeting Autophagy for Developing New Therapeutic Strategy in Intervertebral Disc Degeneration

“…Vitamin D receptor mutations may contribute to pathologies such as osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, and IVDD because they affect bone mineralization and remodeling [ 130 , 131 , 132 ]. The vitamin D receptor gene, which is found on human chromosome 12 (12q12–q14) and has eight protein-coding and six untranslated exons, is one of the most highly investigated genes linked to IVDD [ 133 , 134 , 135 , 136 , 137 , 138 , 139 ]. In particular, the t allele of VDR Taq I is associated with a higher risk of developing IVDD and disc herniation, especially in people under the age of 40 [ 140 , 141 ].…”