Abstract

Highlights

  • Dental fluorosis is a public health problem in the communities evaluated.
  • The rs 412777 polymorphism in the COL1A2 gene was found in Mexican children.
  • An association between the COL1A2 gene polymorphism and dental fluorosis was found.
  • The genetic variant evaluated represents a risk factor to develop dental fluorosis.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the allelic and genotypic frequencies of rs 412777 polymorphism in the Collagen type I alpha 2 chain (COL1A2) gene and the association with the severity of dental fluorosis in children between 6 and 12 years old in the State of San Luis Potosi, Mexico.

DESIGN: A cross-sectional study was designed; participants were 230 children from two rural communities of San Luis Potosí. Fluoride in drinking water and urine samples was quantified using a potentiometric method with a selective ion electrode. Dental fluorosis was diagnosed using the Thylstrup-Fejerskov index while the identification of the polymorphism was made by allelic discrimination, using allele-specific probes by real-time Polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Statistical analysis was carried out with Student’s t-test and Chi-square and Odds Ratio (OR). A confidence interval of 95% and a value of p?<?0.05 were considered.

RESULTS: The concentration of fluoride in drinking water was 2.36?±?0.02?mg/L in Ojo Caliente and 4.56?±?0.07?mg/L in La Reforma, the concentration of fluoride in urine was 2.05?±?0.62?mg/L and 2.99?±?0.99?mg/L respectively. The prevalence of dental fluorosis was 100% and the frequency of alleles was 67% wild-type and 33% mutant allelic, alleles were found in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (X2?=?0.33, p?=?0.89). The association between the degree of dental fluorosis and the evaluated polymorphism was statistically significant (OR?=?7.10, 95% CI?=?3.96-12.70, p?<?0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: An association of rs 412777 polymorphism in the COL1A2 gene with dental fluorosis was found. Therefore, genetic variants represent a relevant risk factor to develop dental fluorosis, as it was proven in this study conducted in Mexican children.