TY - JOUR T1 - A Study of Relationships Between Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms from the Growth Hormone-Insulin-like Growth Factor Axis and Bone Mass: the Hertfordshire Cohort Study JF - The Journal of Rheumatology JO - J Rheumatol DO - 10.3899/jrheum.081061 SP - jrheum.081061 AU - Elaine M. Dennison AU - Holly E. Syddall AU - Karen A. Jameson AU - Avan Aihie Sayer AU - Tom R. Gaunt AU - Santiago Rodriguez AU - Ian N.M. Day AU - Cyrus Cooper AU - Mirjam A. Lips Y1 - 2009/06/01 UR - http://www.jrheum.org/content/early/2009/05/27/jrheum.081061.abstract N2 - Objective We sought evidence of association of candidate single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) within the growth hormone-insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) axis, largely selected on the basis of functional data available at the time of our study, with adult bone mass. Methods Four hundred ninety-eight men and 468 women aged 59-71 years were recruited. A lifestyle questionnaire was administered, and bone mineral content (BMC) and bone mineral density (BMD) were measured at the lumbar spine and femoral neck. Two hundred fifty-four men and 271 women had repeat bone densitometry 4 years later. DNA was obtained from whole blood samples using standard extraction techniques. Single nucleotide variants in the growth hormone releasing hormone gene (GHRH, G/A 223 Phe75Leu, rs4988492), growth hormone releasing hormone receptor gene (GHRHR, G/A217,Ala57Thr, rs4988496), the growth hormone secretagogue receptor gene (GHSR, T/C, Gly57Gly, rs495225), and the growth hormone receptor gene (GHR, T/G, noncoding, rs2940944) were analyzed. Results In both sexes, allelic variation in the gene encoding GHRH was associated with BMC and BMD at the proximal femur and lumbar spine, with results generally stronger in women. In women, the mean BMC lumbar spine within the GHRH 11 genotype was 56.9 g, while that of the GHRH 12 genotype was 68.4 g [p < 0.001, fully adjusted for age, body mass index, cigarette and alcohol consumption, dietary calcium intake, physical activity, years since menopause, and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) use]; corresponding figures for BMD lumbar spine (GHRH 11 genotype) were 0.96 g/cm2 versus 1.10 g/cm2 (p < 0.001 fully adjusted). Conclusion We have demonstrated a relationship between allelic variation in the gene encoding GHRH and bone density; we welcome attempts at replication in other populations. ER -