The importance of the UGT1A1 variants in the development of osteopenia and osteoporosis in postmenopausal women

The UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 1A1 (UGT1A1) is involved in the process of estrogen conjugation and elimination. The aim of the study was to analyze whether the UGT1A1 genetic variants are associated with the development of osteopenia and osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. The analysis of the rs4148323 (UGT1A1*6) and rs3064744 (UGT1A1*28) variants in the UGT1A1 gene was conducted using real-time PCR. A significant correlation was observed between the genotypes of the rs3064744 (UGT1A1*28) sequence variant and body mass in women with osteoporosis. The analysis of the Z-score values revealed that women with osteoporosis and carrying the 6/6 variant had the lowest Z-score values as compared to women with the 6/7 and the 7/7 variants (− 1.966 ± 0.242 vs. − 1.577 ± 0.125 and − 1.839 ± 0.233). In addition, the odds ratio for the investigated genotypes (6/6, 6/7, 7/7) indicated an increased risk for osteopenia and osteoporosis in women with the 7/7 homozygous genotype. The analysis of the frequencies of the GG, GA and AA genotypes of the rs4148323 UGT1A1 gene showed no statistically significant differences between the groups. Our analysis revealed that the UGT1A1 rs3064744 variant may affect the risk of developing osteoporosis in postmenopausal Polish women. The UGT1A1 rs4148323 variant is not directly associated with the development of osteopenia and osteoporosis.