VDR Gene Polymorphisms are Associated with Vitamin D Insufficiency in Elite Male Power Athletes of Kazakhstan
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Authors
Aidana Gabdulkayum
Laboratory of Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Center for Life Sciences, National Laboratory Astana, Nazarbayev University, Astana, Kazakhstan
Saya Amangeldikyzy
The National Center for Children’s Rehabilitation, Astana, Kazakhstan
Adil Yerezhepov
Department of Biotechnology, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Almaty, Kazakhstan
Sayipzhamal Khassanova
The National Center for Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation, Almaty, Kazakhstan
Kenes R. Akilzhanov
Department of Medicine, Semey Medical University, Pavlodar Branch, Pavlodar, Kazakhstan
Ulan Kozhamkulov
Laboratory of Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Center for Life Sciences, National Laboratory Astana, Nazarbayev University, Astana, Kazakhstan
Saule Rakhimova
Laboratory of Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Center for Life Sciences, National Laboratory Astana, Nazarbayev University, Astana, Kazakhstan
Ulykbek Kairov
Laboratory of Bioinformatics and Systems Biology, Center for Life Sciences, National Laboratory Astana, Nazarbayev University, Astana, Kazakhstan
Ainur Akilzhanova
Laboratory of Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Center for Life Sciences, National Laboratory Astana, Nazarbayev University, Astana, Kazakhstan
Dauren Yerezhepov
Laboratory of Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Center for Life Sciences, National Laboratory Astana, Nazarbayev University, Astana, Kazakhstan
Abstract
Background: Vitamin D plays a vital role in musculoskeletal health, immune function, and athletic performance. Its deficiency is common among elite athletes due to factors such as training environment, season, diet and high physiological demands. Genetic variation may influence individual susceptibility to vitamin D deficiency by affecting its metabolism, transport, and signaling pathways. This study aimed to investigate the association between VDR gene polymorphisms and vitamin D status in elite Kazakhstani athletes.
Materials and methods: A total of 92 elite male power athletes, involved in several Olympic disciplines, were recruited during the summer training period. Serum 25(OH)D concentrations were measured using a chemiluminescent immunoassay. Four common VDR single-nucleotide polymorphisms - FokI (rs2228570), TaqI (rs731236), BsmI (rs1544410), and ApaI (rs7975232) were genotyped using TaqMan real-time PCR. Associations between genotypes and vitamin D were analyzed with linear regression, adjusted for age, BMI, and sports experience.
Results: Vitamin D insufficiency (<30 ng/mL) was observed in 63% of participants, including 38% with deficiency (<20 ng/mL). Among the four studied polymorphisms, only the FokI A/A genotype showed a strong association with vitamin D insufficiency (OR = 9.25, 95% CI: 2.01– 42.51, p < 0.01), while no significant associations were found for TaqI, BsmI, or ApaI. Conclusion: Our findings reveal a high prevalence of vitamin D inadequacy among elite male power athletes in Kazakhstan. The VDR FokI A/A genotype is a potential genetic biomarker for vitamin D insufficiency, highlighting the importance of personalized monitoring and targeted supplementation strategies to optimize athlete health and performance. Future studies should investigate additional genetic factors that influence vitamin D metabolism in athletic populations. Acknowledgement: This research has been funded by the Science Committee of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan (Grant No. AP19680003)
Keywords: Vitamin D deficiency, genetic polymorphisms, athletic performance
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