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

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 wmetalloproteinase-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 MMP3 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 (J Occup Health 2010, 52. 23-30)