Abstract
A 29C>T polymorphism of the transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) gene is reported to be associated with genetic susceptibility to both osteoporosis and vertebral fracture. In the present study, the prevalence of vertebral fracture was found to be increased according to the rank order of the TGF-β1 genotypes CC<CT<TT in 168 postmenopausal patients with osteoporosis. It was also found that total, leg, and appendicular fat-free mass as well as relative skeletal muscle index were significantly lower in subjects with CT+TT genotypes than in subjects with CC genotype in 479 community-dwelling adults in Tokyo Metropolis who consisted of 143 men and 336 women. These data suggest that T allele of the 29C>T polymorphism in the TGF-β1 gene might be a risk factor of sarcopenia in Japanese population. Therefore, determination of the TGF-β1 genotype would offer clinicians a clue to identify individuals with a high-risk for vertebral fragility fracture among patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis.
