OBJECTIVETo measure the concentration of osteoprotegerin (OPG) and receptor activator of NF-kappaB ligand (sRANKL) in peripheral blood among normal healthy people and investigate the relationship pf the concentration with age and sex.

METHODSThe peripheral blood samples of 220 normal healthy people (included 108 males and 112 females, aged from 35 to 70) were collected in the morning. The OPG and sRANKL concentration of blood serum were measured by ELISA.

RESULTSThe concentrations in female peripheral blood were: OPG 21.95 to 315.47 pg/ml, sRANKL 10.25 to 370.20 pmol/L; while in male were: OPG 14.78 to 192.55 pg/ml, sRANKL 9.22 to 300.32 pmol/L. There was positive correlation between the OPG concentration and age in the females older than 46 years. And for female older than 57, the sRANKL concentration of peripheral blood increases obviously.

CONCLUSIONAge and sex are the elements that affect the OPG and sRANKL concentration in peripheral blood. For female older than 46, the OPG concentration of peripheral blood increases with age, while the sRANKL concentration of peripheral blood increases for females older than 57.