Single nucleotide polymorphisms in the P2X7 gene are associated to fracture risk and to effect of estrogen treatment.

Objectives: The purinergic P2RX7 receptor (P2RX7) has been shown to play a role in the regulation of osteoblast and osteoclast activity. The aim of this study was to determine the presence of polymorphisms in exon 13 of the P2X7 gene and the association with osteoclast apoptosis in vitro and bone status in vivo.

Methods: A total of 1764 postmenopausal women were genotyped for three single nucleotide polymorphisms detected after sequencing of exon 13 of P2X7.