7-dehydrocholesterol reductase (EC 1.3.1.21) (7-DHC reductase) (Delta7-sterol reductase) (Sterol Delta(7)-reductase) (Sterol reductase SR-2) [D7SR]

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Environmental and genetic determinants of vitamin D status among older adults in London, UK.

Despite the high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among older adults in the UK, studies investigating the determinants of vitamin D status in this group are lacking. We conducted a cross-sectional study in 222 older adults living in sheltered accommodation in London, UK, who were screened for participation in a clinical trial of vitamin D supplementation for the prevention of acute respiratory infection. Details of potential demographic and lifestyle determinants of vitamin D status were collected by questionnaire and blood samples were taken for analysis of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) concentration and DNA extraction. Fifteen single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in 6 genes (DBP, DHCR7, CYP2R1, CYP27B1, CYP24A1, VDR) previously reported to associate with circulating 25(OH)D concentration were typed using Taqman allelic discrimination assays. Linear regression was used to identify environmental and genetic factors independently associated with serum 25(OH)D concentration. Mean serum 25(OH)D concentration was 42.7nmol/L (SD 22.0); 144/222 (64.9%) participants had serum 25(OH)D concentrations <50nmol/L. The following factors were independently associated with lower serum 25(OH)D concentration: non-white ethnicity (-8.6nmol/L, 95% CI -14.9 to -2.3, P=0.008); lack of vitamin D supplement consumption (-17.1nmol/L, 95% CI -23.3 to -10.9, P<0.001) vs. taking a daily supplement; sampling in Q1/January-March (-12.2nmol/L, 95% CI -21.5 to -2.9, P=0.01), and sampling in Q4/October-December (-10.3nmol/L, 95% CI -20.2 to -0.4, P=0.04) vs. sampling in Q3/July-September. None of the 15 SNP investigated independently associated with serum 25(OH)D concentration after correcting for multiple comparisons. In conclusion, vitamin D deficiency was highly prevalent among the older adults in this study; non-White ethnicity, lack of vitamin D supplement consumption and sampling in winter and spring independently associated with lower vitamin D status.

MeSH Terms

  • 25-Hydroxyvitamin D3 1-alpha-Hydroxylase
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Aging
  • Cholestanetriol 26-Monooxygenase
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Cohort Studies
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Cytochrome P450 Family 2
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Diet
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Female
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease
  • Humans
  • London
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Oxidoreductases Acting on CH-CH Group Donors
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
  • Receptors, Calcitriol
  • Seasons
  • Transcription Factors
  • Vitamin D
  • Vitamin D Deficiency
  • Vitamin D3 24-Hydroxylase

Keywords

  • Ageing
  • Diet
  • Polymorphism
  • Season
  • Single nucleotide
  • Vitamin D


Cholesterol biosynthesis from birth to adulthood in a mouse model for 7-dehydrosterol reductase deficiency (Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome).

Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome (SLOS) is caused by deficiency in the terminal step of cholesterol biosynthesis, which is catalyzed by 7-dehydrocholesterol reductase (DHCR7). The disorder exhibits several phenotypic traits including dysmorphia and mental retardation with a broad range of severity. Pathogenesis of SLOS is complex due to multiple roles of cholesterol and may be further complicated by unknown effects of aberrant metabolites that arise when 7-dehydrocholesterol (7-DHC), the substrate for DHCR7, accumulates. A viable mouse model for SLOS has recently been developed, and here we characterize cholesterol metabolism in this model with emphasis on changes during the first few weeks of postnatal development. Cholesterol and 7-DHC were measured in "SLOS" mice and compared with measurements in normal mice. SLOS mice had measurable levels of 7-DHC at all ages tested (up to 1 year), while 7-DHC was below the threshold for detection in normal mice. In perinatal to weaning age SLOS mice, cholesterol and 7-DHC levels changed dramatically. Changes in brain and liver were independent; in brain cholesterol increased several fold while 7-DHC remained relatively constant, but in liver cholesterol first increased then decreased again while 7-DHC first decreased then increased. In older SLOS animals the ratio of 7-DHC/cholesterol, which is an index of biochemical severity, tended to approach, but not reach, normal. While these mice provide the best available genetic animal model for the study of SLOS pathogenesis and treatment, they probably will be most useful at early ages when the metabolic effects of the mutations are most dramatic. To correlate any experimental treatment with improved sterol metabolism will require age-matched controls. Finally, determining the mechanism by which these "SLOS" mice tend to normalize may provide insight into the future development of therapy.

MeSH Terms

  • Aging
  • Animals
  • Animals, Newborn
  • Brain
  • Cholesterol
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Liver
  • Mice
  • Oxidoreductases Acting on CH-CH Group Donors
  • Smith-Lemli-Opitz Syndrome
  • Tissue Extracts