University of Pittsburgh team finds gene that increases risk of oteoporotic...( e APOE-4 allele were twice as likely to...)

"The correlation between APOE-4 and fractures among women in our study does not appear attributable to dementia, because women with APOE-4 had the same cognitive function and the same likelihood of falling as women without this allele," stated Dr. Cauley.

The researchers evaluated APOE genes in the "Study of Ostoporotic Fractures" because a previous investigation showed that patients undergoing hemodialysis who had the APOE-4 allele were more likely to suffer fractures.

The APOE-4 allele may contribute to fractures because it reduces blood levels of vitamin K, which has been shown to stimulate the formation of bone and reduce the resorption of bone, a process whereby specialized cells break down bone and release its constituents into the blood. Future studies will measure APOE allele type, vitamin K levels and bone turnover to test this hypothesis, state the researchers in the journal article. The study was supported in part by grants from the National Institutes of Health.

'"/>

Contact: Lauren Ward
wardle@msx.upmc.edu
412-624-2607
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
29-Jun-1999