Association between the rs2228570 polymorphism of the vitamin D receptor gene and serum vitamin D levels: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
María Benavent, Francisco Félix Caballero, Cristina Álvarez-Martín et al.
✦ AI-curated · Sources linked
In 30 seconds
This systematic review and meta-analysis examined whether the vitamin D receptor rs2228570 (FokI) polymorphism is associated with circulating 25(OH)D in healthy adults. Of 66 eligible articles, 45 studies contributed data from 15,256 participants, mainly from Europe, Asia, and America; the studies were cross-sectional or case-control. No significant association was found in the overall analyses across the genetic models examined. An American subgroup showed an association for CT versus TT (P=.04), while higher levels among C-allele carriers in Fair-quality studies were accompanied by substantial heterogeneity.
Key findings
- Across 15,256 participants, no significant association between rs2228570 and 25(OH)D was observed in any overall genetic model.
- The American subgroup showed an association for CT versus TT (P=.04); other continent-based subgroup analyses were not significant (P>.05).
- Fair-quality studies reported higher 25(OH)D among C-allele carriers, with substantial heterogeneity (I² range: 81.4-95.1%).
Why it matters
The pooled findings do not support a consistent relationship between this common VDR polymorphism and circulating 25(OH)D in the studied healthy-adult populations. This helps frame genetic variation as only one possible contributor to vitamin D status and underscores that subgroup signals should be interpreted cautiously when results are heterogeneous.
What to keep in mind
The included evidence came from cross-sectional and case-control studies, and substantial heterogeneity was reported in Fair-quality-study comparisons. The eligible population excluded pregnant or lactating women, people with obesity, and supplement users.