Association of dental fluorosis with polymorphisms of estrogen receptor gene in Chinese children.

Dental fluorosis (DF) is one of the important performances of endemic fluorosis. Some studies indicated that estrogen receptor (ESR) gene polymorphisms were associated with bone metabolism-related diseases. Therefore, it is possible that the variation in ESR genotypes will be associated with DF status. A case-control study was conducted among children aged 8-12 years with (n = 75) or without (n = 165) DF in China to investigate the relationship between ESR gene polymorphisms and DF. Gene polymorphisms were genotyped using the PCR-RFLP procedure. Children carrying R allele of ER RsaI had significantly increased risk of DF (Odds ratio (OR) = 1.821; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.013-3.274) compared to children carrying r allele of ER RsaI in endemic fluorosis villages. For children with high-loaded fluoride status, carrying X allele of ESRα XbaI had a significantly decreased risk of DF (OR = 0.542; 95% CI, 0.314-0.936) compared to carrying x allele. This study provides the first evidence of an association between polymorphisms in the ESR gene with DF in high-fluoride-exposed populations. Further studies are needed to confirm the association.