Osteoprotegerin, RANKL and bone turnover in postmenopausal osteoporosis

BackgroundOsteoprotegerin (OPG) and receptor activator of nuclear factor κ B ligand (RANKL) play a critical role in the regulation of bone turnover, but the relative importance of these two cytokines in the pathogenesis of postmenopausal osteoporosis is controversial.AimTo investigate the relationship between circulating levels of OPG, RANKL, bone turnover and bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal women.MethodsA cross-sectional study of 185 women with osteoporosis and 185 age- and sex-matched control subjects was undertaken. Measurements were made of plasma OPG, RANKL, interleukin-6 (IL-6), sex steroids, calciotropic hormones, biochemical markers of bone turnover, BMD and anthropometry. Health questionnaires were administered.ResultsPlasma RANKL was significantly higher (p