Correlation between vitamin D deficiency and its receptor (FokI-rs2228570) gene polymorphisms in anemic men

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that has a unique feature as it is considered the only vitamin that is synthesized in the body. Gene polymorphism of the vitamin D receptor (FokI-rs2228570) gene has been proposed as the major cause of anemia. The goal of this research was to examine the link between vitamin D insufficiency and the gene polymorphism for vitamin D receptors in anemic patients. A case-control study including 120 men anemic patients without any kidney disorders have been compared with 60 healthy men as a control. One single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) FokI- rs2228570 was detected by PCR and PCR-RFLP techniques. Serum vitamin D, erythropoietin levels, and some biochemical parameters were measured by ELISA. The mutant homozygous genotype ff was more frequent in anemic patients (45%) than control (15%). Also, the f allele frequency was a common allele in the patients (0.62%) with a significant decrement of vitamin D and hemoglobin levels, i.e. the presence of mutant allele represents the risk factor for developing anemia compared with genetic patterns FF and Ff. The genetic frequencies also affect vitamin D conditions as indicated by low levels in mutant patterns (Ff, ff) in which the patients suffer from severe anemia.