Polymorphisms in the Vitamin D System and Health

Vitamin D, which is essential in calcium metabolism, is produced in the skin after sun exposure or obtained from food, mainly fatty fish or vitamin D supplements. For activation vitamin D must be hydroxylated in the liver to 25(OH)D and thereafter in the kidney to 1,25(OH)2D. In the circulation 25(OH)D and 1,25(OH)2D are bound to a carrier protein (DBP), and for 1,25(OH)2D to exert its effect it has to bind to the vitamin D receptor (VDR).

The serum level of 25(OH)D, which is the metabolite used to evaluate a person's vitamin D status, is in part genetically determined and several polymorphisms with effects on serum 25(OH)D have been identified. These polymorphisms, where the minor allele frequencies vary between 16 and 40 %, appear as important for the serum 25(OH)D level as the effect of season, physical activity or vitamin D supplementation.

Vitamin D is not only vital for the skeleton, but appears to be related to a number of health outcomes, including mortality as previously demonstrated in the Tromsø study. However, as the serum level of 25(OH)D is strongly influenced by life-style factors that are also related to health outcomes, it is difficult to decide whether the relation between vitamin D and health is causal or not.

On the other hand, the polymorphisms are not influenced by life-style, and the effect of the polymorphisms will be life-long. Accordingly, they may be a better marker of vitamin D status than a single serum 25(OH)D measurement. Furthermore, there are a number of polymorphisms regarding the vitamin D receptor (VDR) that may be associated with health.

In the present study we will therefore relate the polymorphisms affecting the serum 25(OH)D level and the function of the VDR, with anthropometric and biochemical measures, mortality, diseases and risk factors for disease. DNA will be obtained from the 4th Tromsø study.