The association between bone microarchitecture and bone anabolic agent assesed by HR-pQCT in ALDH2 polymophism

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K18547
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 56020:Orthopedics-related
• Research Institution: University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan
• Principal Investigator: Tajima Takafumi 産業医科大学, 医学部, 助教 (40778156)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: ALDH2遺伝子 / 高解像度CT検査 / 骨微細構造

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The mutant aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) gene is found at a 45% frequency in Japanese and reported to be a risk for osteoporosis. The purpose of this study was to determine differences in ALDH2 gene polymorphisms in bone microstructure of the distal radius and tibia using high-resolution computed tomography (HR-pQCT). Compared to normal ALDH2 gene carriers, mutant ALDH2 gene carriers had lower trabecular volumetric bone mineral density (Tb.vBMD), trabecular bone volume (BV/TV), and trabecular thickness (Tb.Th) in the tibia, however no differences in the cortical bone of the tibia and trabecular and cortical bone of the radius. There might be a reduction in trabecular bone microstructure in the lower limb than in the upper limb in mutant ALDH2 gene carriers.

Free Research Field

整形外科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

日本人に多く認められる変異型ALDH2遺伝子保有者は骨粗鬆症や大腿骨近位部骨折を合併する頻度が高いが、その骨微細構造をHR-pQCTを用いて評価した報告はない。我々の過去の研究でAldh2ノックアウトマウスでは、荷重・非荷重環境において野生型マウスと異なる骨反応がみられたが、ヒトにおいても非荷重骨である橈骨では変化なく、荷重骨である脛骨のみで海綿骨の微細構造の劣化を認め、脛骨皮質骨には変化がなかった。本研究成果から、変異型ALDH2遺伝子保有者において、特に荷重骨の海綿骨劣化を予防することで骨折リスクの低減に貢献できると考える。