Endocrine Abstracts

The Osteoprotegerin (OPG) RANK and RANK-L system is a novel paracrine system that forms part of the mechanism of bone turnover. The aim of this study was to explore if the OPG/ RANK-L system, detectable in blood, is related to bone mineral density.

The study population consisted of 185 osteoporotic women (mean age 62.4 years), with bone mineral density (BMD) more than 2.5 SD below the young adult value, and 185 age-matched controls, with normal bone mineral density.

BMD was measured by LUNAR DEXA. A Biomedica Gruppe ELISA kit supplied by Quidel Diagnostics was used to determine human sRANK-L and OPG in plasma.

In osteoporotic women, a negative correlation was found between plasma OPG concentration and their hip BMD (r = - 0.22, P< 0.001) and their lumbar spine BMD (r = -0. 12, P < 0.05).

In control women, a negative correlation was found between plasma OPG and their lumbar spine BMD (r = -0. 13, P < 0.03).

There was no significant correlation between sRANK-L and these parameters in control women.

This study showed a significant relationship between OPG and bone mineral density in osteoporotic women but not in the control group.

This suggests that these cytokines have a significant role in osteoporosis.