Susceptibility to bone damage
OwnerAndreas Gerardus Uitterlinden, Joyce Berdina Josepha van Meursinventors
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Abstract
In one aspect, the present invention provides methods for determining susceptibility to bone damage in a subject. In some embodiments, the methods comprise screening for polymorphisms in the MTHFR and collagen Iα1 genes that are associated with susceptibility to bone damage. In some embodiments, the methods comprise screening for elevated levels of homocysteine in a subject, wherein elevated levels of homocysteine are associated with an increased risk of bone damage. The methods of the invention may be used in predicting the response of a patient to treatment. Also provided are methods for prevention or reducing the risk of bone damage in a subject.
Claims32
A method for determining susceptibility of a subject to bone damage, comprising determining which allele(s) of polymorphisms in methyltetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) and collagen Iα1 are present in the subject.
A method for determining susceptibility to bone damage in a subject identified as having the s allele of the Sp1 polymorphism of collagen Iα1, comprising determining which allele of a polymorphism of MTHFR is present in the subject.
A method for determining susceptibility to bone damage in a subject, comprising measuring the level of serum homocysteine in a subject, wherein the presence of an elevated level of serum homocysteine compared to the level of serum homocysteine in a reference population is indicative of an increased susceptibility to bone damage.
A method for determining susceptibility to bone damage in a subject, comprising measuring the level of serum homocysteine in a subject, wherein a level of serum homocysteine that is greater than about 20 μmol/l is indicative of an increased susceptibility to bone damage.
A method for preventing or reducing susceptibility to bone damage in a subject, comprising prescribing or administering to a subject at risk for bone damage an amount of folic acid that is effective to prevent or reduce susceptibility to bone damage in the subject.
A method for preventing or reducing bone damage, comprising the steps of:
- (1) determining that a subject has an increased susceptibility to bone damage;
- and
- (2) prescribing or administering folic acid to the subject.
A method for predicting the response of a subject to treatment, comprising determining which allele(s) of the MTHFR and/or collagen Iα1 is/are present.
A kit for use in determining susceptibility to bone damage in a subject, said kit comprising (i) one or more nucleic acid primer molecules for amplification of a portion of a gene selected from the group consisting of an MTHFR and a collagen Iα1 gene, and (ii) means for determining which allele(s) of said genes is/are present.
A method for determining susceptibility of a living subject to bone damage, comprising using a kit comprising (i) one or more nucleic acid primer molecules for amplification of a portion of a gene selected from the group consisting of an MTHFR and a collagen Iα1 gene from a subject, and (ii) means for determining which allele(s) of said genes is/are present in the subject.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.