Matrix Metalloproteinase‐3 and Vitamin D Receptor Genetic Polymorphisms, and Their Interactions with Occupational Exposure in Lumbar Disc Degeneration

• Published in: Journal of occupational health Vol. 52; no. 1; pp. 23 - 30
• Main Authors: Yuan, Han‐Yan, Tang, Ying, Liang, You‐Xin, Lei, Ling, Xiao, Guo‐Bing, Wang, Sheng, Xia, Zhao‐Lin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Australia Oxford University Press 01.01.2010
• Subjects: Adult; Age; Base Sequence; China - epidemiology; Degenerative disc disease; Female; Gene polymorphism; Genetics; Genotype; Humans; Intervertebral Disc Displacement - epidemiology; Intervertebral Disc Displacement - genetics; Low back pain; Lumbar disc degeneration; Lumbar Vertebrae - injuries; Male; Matrix Metalloproteinase 3 - genetics; Middle Aged; Mutation; Occupational Exposure; Occupational health; Occupational risk factors; Polymorphism, Genetic; Receptors, Calcitriol - genetics; Risk factors; Spinal Diseases - genetics; Surveys and Questionnaires; Vibration; Vitamin D; China
• ISSN: 1348-9585; 1341-9145; 1348-9585
• DOI: 10.1539/joh.L8149

Matrix Metalloproteinase‐3 and Vitamin D Receptor Genetic Polymorphisms, and Their Interactions with Occupational Exposure in Lumbar Disc Degeneration: Han‐Yan Yuan, et al. Department of Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Fudan University, China Objectives To investigate the occupational and genetic risk factors inducing lumbar disc degeneration in a Chinese population, and to explore their synergistic interactions. Methods A case‐control study involving 178 low back pain patients with lumbar disc degeneration and 284 controls was carried out. Five types of work‐related factors were investigated using questionnaires. Polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragments length polymorphism was used to detect the polymorphisms of MMP‐3 (matrix metalloproteinase‐3)(rs731236), VDR‐Taq (vitamin D receptor‐Taq) and VDR‐Apa (vitamin D receptor‐Apa)(rs35068180). Rothman's synergy index was used to measure the synergistic interactions between gene polymorphisms and occupational risk factors. Results Family history of lumbar disc diseases, back injury history, whole‐body vibration, bending/twisting, heavy physical workload, age, mutation alleles 5A of MMP‐3 and A of VDR‐Apa were significantly associated with lumbar disc degeneration (OR=12.70, 11.79, 8.96, 5.46, 1.05, 1.96 and 1.70, respectively, p<0.05). Synergistic interactions existed between the mutation allele 5A of MMP‐3 and whole‐body vibration exposure, the mutation allele 5A of MMP‐3 and bending/twisting, and the mutation allele A of VDR‐Apa and bending/twisting (SI=13.27, 2.91, 2.35, respectively, p<0.05). Conclusions The results of this study suggest that gene‐occupation interaction might play a certain role in exaggerating lumbar disc degeneration. There is a possibility that subjects who carry mutation alleles 5A of MMP‐3 and/or A of VDR‐Apa are more vulnerable to lumbar disc degeneration when they are exposed to whole‐body vibration and/or bending/twisting under ergonomic loads.