No association between LRP5 gene polymorphisms and bone and obesity phenotypes in Chinese male-offspring nuclear families.

AIM: To investigate the effect of low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 5 (LRP5) gene polymorphisms on bone and obesity phenotypes in young Chinese men.

METHODS: A total of 1244 subjects from 411 Chinese nuclear families were genotyped by using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) technique at the Q89R, N740N, and A1330V sites in the LRP5 gene. Bone mineral density (BMD) in the lumbar spine and the hip, total fat mass and total lean mass were measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. The association between LRP5 gene polymorphisms and peak BMD, body mass index (BMI), total fat mass, total lean mass and percentage of fat mass was assessed using a quantitative transmission disequilibrium test (QTDT).

RESULTS: No significant within-family associations were found between genotypes or haplotypes of the LRP5 gene and peak BMD, BMI, total fat mass, total lean mass and percentage of fat mass. The 1000 permutations that were subsequently simulated were in agreement with these within-family association results.

CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that common polymorphic variations of the LRP5 gene do not influence peak bone mass acquisition and obesity phenotypes in young Chinese men.