RAB40C Gene Polymorphisms Were Associated with Alcohol-Induced Osteonecrosis of the Femoral Head

INTRODUCTION: Alcohol-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH), a progressive disease, is caused by excessive drinking and genetic factors. Currently, it remains to represent a significant challenge. The association between alcohol-induced ONFH and RAB40C gene polymorphisms may provide a direction for the mechanism of alcoholic ONFH. METHODS: A total of 201 alcohol-induced ONFH patients and 201 healthy controls were recruited in this case–control study. The polymorphisms of RAB40C gene were genotyped in blood samples by Agena MassARRAY RS1000. Pearson chi-square test was used to calculate difference in allele frequencies of gene polymorphisms between the cases and controls. Alcohol-induced ONFH risk was estimated using odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: In the overall analysis, the allele “G” of rs62030917 was significantly increased alcohol-induced ONFH risk (OR = 1.47, 95% CI = 1.07–2.02, p = 0.017) in the allele model. In the genetic analysis, rs62030917 also increased the risk of alcohol-induced ONFH in the dominant model (adjusted OR = 1.52, 95% CI=1.02–2.26, p = 0.039) and the log-additive model (adjusted OR = 1.42, 95% CI=1.05–1.93, p = 0.025). Age stratification analysis suggested that rs62030917 increased the risk of alcohol-induced ONFH among the individuals younger than 42 years old. Moreover, carriers of AA, GA and GG genotypes in rs2269556 had LDL-C levels that were significantly different (p = 0.047). Among them, carriers of GG genotype had the highest LDL-C levels. CONCLUSION: This study revealed rs62030917 in RAB40C gene might increase the risk of alcohol-induced ONFH, providing a theoretical basis for the mechanism of RAB40C in alcohol-induced ONFH.