Osteocalcin gene polymorphism and bone density in Hungarian athletes.

Osteoporosis, a public health problem, is mainly determined on the basis of bone mineral density (BMD). The rs1800247 polymorphism of the osteocalcin gene is associated with BMD. The results of one recent Polish study led us to the examination of a possible connection between polymorphism and bone ultrasound parameters in the Hungarian population, including elite athletes. A total of 302 subjects participated in the study. Genotype analysis was carried out via a DNA chip, and anthropometric measurements were taken according to the International Biological Program. Sixty-three (63) of the participants were also measured by ultrasound bone densitometer. The genotype frequencies of osteocalcin polymorphism in the total sample were: 59.9% for hh; 36.1% for Hh; and 3.97% for HH. We separated the 63 subjects by the presence or absence of H allele, and there were no significant differences between the two groups, either in the anthropometric, or in the ultrasound parameters. In grouping the sample by genotypes, no differences were detectable in any of the bone characteristics. Compared to the controls, athletes had significantly higher results in all of the bone ultrasound values. The polymorphism of the osteocalcin gene showed no effect on bone quantity in the examined Hungarian population.