Title: Vitamin D receptor Fok1 polymorphism and blood lead concentration in children.

Authors: Haynes, Erin N; Kalkwarf, Heidi J; Hornung, Richard; Wenstrup, Richard; Dietrich, Kim; Lanphear, Bruce P

Published In Environ Health Perspect, (2003 Oct)

Abstract: Variation in blood lead concentration is caused by a complex interaction of environmental, social, nutritional, and genetic factors. We evaluated the association between blood lead concentration and a vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphism. Environmental samples and blood were analyzed for lead, nutritional and behavioral factors were assessed, and VDR -Fok1 genotype was determined in 245 children. We found a significant interaction between floor dust lead and genotype on blood lead concentration. For every 1 microg/ft(2) increase in floor dust, children with VDR -FF genotype had a 1.1% increase in blood lead [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.69-1.5], VDR -Ff, 0.53% increase (95% CI, 0.1-0.92), and VDR -ff, 3.8% increase (95% CI, 1.2-6.3); however, at floor dust levels < 10 microg/ft(2), children with VDR -ff had the lowest blood lead concentrations. These data suggest that VDR -Fok1 is an effect modifier of the relationship of floor dust lead exposure and blood lead concentration.

PubMed ID: 14527848

MeSH Terms: Child, Preschool; Cohort Studies; Dust; Environmental Exposure*; Female; Genetic Predisposition to Disease*; Genotype; Humans; Infant; Lead Poisoning/genetics*; Lead/blood*; Male; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Polymorphism, Genetic*; Receptors, Calcitriol/genetics*