ERβ gene RsaI polymorphism and children’s dental fluorosis

Objective. To explore the distribution of ER RsaI genotype in children who lived in the areas with or without high fluoride in drinking water, and investigate the relationship between ER gene RsaI polymorphisms and children’s dental fluorosis. Methods. We conducted a case-control study among children aged 8 to 12 years old with (n=74) or without (n = 163) dental fluorosis in two counties in Henan Province. The RsaI polymorphisms in the ER gene were genotyped using the PCR-RFLP procedure. Results. The frequency distribution of ER RsaI genotype was rr 60.8% (45/74), Rr 27.0% (20/74), RR 12.1 % (9/74) in children with dental fluorosis, rr 73.9% (51/69), Rr 20.2% (14/69), RR 5.8% (4/69) in children without dental fluorosis from high fluoride areas, and rr 63.8% (60/94), Rr 34.0% (32/94), RR 2.1% (2/94) in the children without fluorosis from control areas respectively. There were no significant differences in the three groups (P>0.05). Conclusion. There were no correlation between ER RsaI genotype and the dental fluorosis, and the further study is needed. [Life Science Journal. 2010; 7(1): 51 – 55] (ISSN: 1097 – 8135)