[Impact of CYP3A7*1C polymorphism on bone mineral content in postmenopausal women].

INTRODUCTION

CYP3A71C polymorphism has been shown to be associated with lower levels of serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate in men. The age-related decline of dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate levels is believed to contribute to the development of osteoporosis. We hypothesized that CYP3A71C may lead to bone loss through decreased levels of dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate in postmenopausal women.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

319 postmenopausal women were studied and divided into two subgroups: 217 women with osteoporosis and 102 aged-matched women without osteoporosis. The CYP3A7*1C polymorphism was genotyped. Serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate levels and bone mineral density were measured.

RESULTS

Homozygous CYP3A71C carriers had significantly lower bone mineral density at lumbar spine than that of wild type (T-score with CYP3A71C mutant type: -3.27 +/- 1.02, T-score with wild type: -1.35 +/- 1.53, p = 0.041) after adjusting for age and DHEAS levels. No association was found between genotypes and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate levels.

CONCLUSION

Our data suggest that CYP3A7 polymorphism might have an influence on bone mass at the lumbar spine independently of serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate concentrations.