The genetic association between osteoprotegerin (OPG) gene polymorphisms and bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal women: A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Osteoporosis is a common skeletal disorder in eldest people, especially in postmenopausal women. The osteoprotegerin (OPG) gene has been reported to be associated with the BMD and pathogenesis of osteoporosis. However, the results were inconsistent and inconclusive in previous studies. METHODS: A meta-analysis was performed to investigate the effect of four common OPG gene polymorphisms (A163G, G1181C, T245G, and T950C) on BMD in postmenopausal women. RESULTS: A total of 23 eligible studies with 12,973 postmenopausal women were enrolled in present study. Individuals who with AA genotype of A163G were found to have slightly higher femoral hip (P = .03, SMD = 0.49, [95% CI] = [0.06, 0.91]) and total hip BMD (P = .002, SMD = −0.25, [95% CI] = [−0.42, −0.09]) than those with AG genotype. Subjects with GG genotype of G1181C was found to have lower BMD than those with CC or GC genotypes in lumbar spine (GG vs GC: P = .0002, SMD = −0.85, [95% CI] = [−1.29, −0.41]; GG vs CC: P = .02, SMD = −0.21, [−0.39, −0.03]) and total hip BMD (GG vs GC: P = .002, SMD = −0.25, [95% CI] = [−0.42, −0.09]; GG vs CC: P = .01, SMD = −0.15, [95% CI] = [−0.26, −0.03]). In addition, the subjects with GC genotype of G1181C was detected to have lower BMD than those with CC genotype in lumbar spine BMD (P < .05). Furthermore, individuals with TT genotype of T950C were shown to have significant lower lumbar spine BMD compared with those with genotype CC in Caucasian (P < .05). The lumbar spine BMD was lower for subjects with TC genotype of T950C than those with CC genotype in both Caucasian and Asian populations (P < .05). In contrast to A163G, G1181C, and T950G, no association was detected between T245G polymorphism and BMD (P > .05). CONCLUSION: The present meta-analysis demonstrated the OPG A163G, G1181C, and T950G, but not T245G, might influence the BMD in postmenopausal women.