Osteoprotegerin genetic polymorphisms and their influence on therapeutic response to ibandronate in postmenopausal osteoporotic females

Objectives The present study investigated osteoprotegerin (OPG) genetic polymorphisms and their influence on the therapeutic response to ibandronate in postmenopausal osteoporotic females. Methods This case-control study included 135 postmenopausal females (89 osteoporotic females and 46 non-osteoporotic females). Each osteoporotic patient received a monthly 150 mg ibandronate tablet for six months, and blood samples were taken before and after treatment. Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured using DEXA Scan. Three SNPs (A163G, T245G, and G1181C) of the OPG gene were selected for analysis. Results Serum OPG levels were significantly lower in osteoporotic subjects than in the control group. The percentage changes in OPG levels in the osteoporotic group before and after treatment with ibandronate were significant (p < .001). After six months of therapy with ibandronate, the percentage changes in OPG levels with AA, TT, TC, GC, and GG genotypes were significant. Following six months of ibandronate treatment, the AA genotype of rs3134069, TT, TC genotypes of rs3102735, GG, and GC genotypes of rs2073618 SNP showed a significant increase in OPG levels. Age, BMI, and GC polymorphism (rs2073618 (G/C) G1181C) were inversely associated with low BMD. Adjusted odds ratios (OR) showed that BMI, GC, GG polymorphism (rs2073618 (G/C) G1181C) and TC polymorphism (rs3102735 (T/C) A163G) were inversely associated with low BMD. Conclusion The inverse association of rs2073618 and rs3102735 with low BMD indicates the protective role of these SNPs in our population. More research is needed to replicate these results in another cohort and to determine the molecular processes by which such SNPs may influence BMD.