OBJECTIVETo observe serum osteoprotegerin (OPG) level in children with nephrotic syndrome (NS) and changes in serum OPG level after glucocorticoid therapy, with the aim of studying the role of OPG in the bone metabolism of children with NS.

METHODSForty-four children with idiopathic NS were randomly selected as the study group, including 24 newly diagnosed, untreated patients and 20 who had relapsed during the process of glucocorticoid reduction (cumulative dose of glucocorticoid 28327±5879 mg/m2). Twenty-three age- and sex-matched healthy children served as the control group. Serum osteoprotegerin (OPG) level was measured using ELISA. Serum N-terminal midfragment of osteocalcin (N-MID osteocalcin) was determined using electrochemical luminescence immunoassays (ECLIA).

RESULTSSerum levels of OPG (211±55 ng/L) and N-MID osteocalcin (46±14 ng/mL) in the untreated NS group were reduced compared with 470±57 ng/L (OPG) and 73±9 ng/ml (N-MID osteocalcin) in the control group (P<0.05). Serum levels of OPG (176±42 ng/L) and N-MID osteocalcin (29±10 ng/mL) in the NS relapsed group were lower than in the untreated NS and control groups (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSBone metabolism disorders are found in children with NS. High-doses of glucocorticoid therapy can aggravate these disorders. Serum OPG levels in children with NS may be affected by both the renal disease itself and steroid therapy, suggesting that OPG is expected to become a new biochemical indicator for predicting changes to the bone metabolism of children with NS.

Child ; Glucocorticoids ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Nephrotic Syndrome ; blood ; drug therapy ; Osteocalcin ; blood ; Osteoprotegerin ; blood

No abstract available.
Cardiovascular Diseases/*etiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Osteoprotegerin/*blood ; *Renal Dialysis ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic/*therapy ; *Vascular Stiffness

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the diagnostic usefulness of serum osteoprotegerin (OPG) in prostate cancer bone metastasis.

METHODSSerum osteoprotegerin were measured by ELISA assay in 30 healthy men, 30 patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia, 66 patients with prostate cancer including 36 without bone metastasis (30 with localized cancer, 6 with lymph node metastasis) and 30 with bone metastasis. The results associated with clinical data were calculated statistically.

RESULTSSerum osteoprotegerin were significantly increased in patients with bone metastasis compared with others (P<0.001). OPG level had a positive correlation with either prostate specific antigen (PSA) or Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) level (r=0.427, 0.277; P<0.001); and a positive correlation with either Gleason score or grade (r=0.427, 0.277; P<0.001). ROC analysis proved that OPG had better diagnostic accuracy than ALP for detecting bone metastasis in prostate cancer.

CONCLUSIONSerum osteoprotegerin could be used as a marker for diagnosis of bone metastasis in prostate cancer.

Biomarkers, Tumor ; blood ; Bone Neoplasms ; blood ; diagnosis ; secondary ; Humans ; Male ; Osteoprotegerin ; blood ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; pathology ; Sensitivity and Specificity

BACKGROUNDSerum osteoprotegerin (OPG) and matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) have been shown to play a role in bone metabolism by degrading the bone matrix. The present study was undertaken to compare OPG and MMP-2 with bone mineral density and three markers (alkaline phosphatase (AKP), calcium and phosphorus) in postmenopausal women in Wuhan.

METHODSSerum OPG, MMP-2, and AKP of 78 Chinese postmenopausal women aged 48 to 65 were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Bone mineral density was measured with dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), and serum calcium and phosphorus were measured by auto biochemical analysis.

RESULTSSerum OPG and MMP-2 concentrations were significantly higher in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis ((127.6 +/- 6.3) ng/L; (1388 +/- 121) microg/L)) than those in age-matched normal controls ((72.3 +/- 2.4) ng/L; (1126 +/- 141) microg/L, P < 0.01). Negative relationships were found between serum OPG, MMP-2 levels and bone mineral density in osteoporotic women. Adjusted by age and body mass index (BMI), the correlation of MMP-2 with bone mineral density of the neck of the femur disappeared. In osteoporotic women, negative correlations between OPG, MMP-2 levels and serum calcium were found (r = -0.216; r = -0.269, P < 0.05), but positive correlations between OPG and serum AKP, serum phosphorus (r = 0.235; r = 0.124, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSSignificant correlations exist between serum OPG, MMP-2 levels and bone metabolism in high bone turnover of postmenopausal osteoporotic women. The concentrations of serum OPG and MMP-2 increase possibly as a concomitant event in the high bone turnover state, such as postmenopausal osteoporosis. Therefore serum OPG and MMP-2 could be used as indicators for the bone metabolism in postmenopausal osteoporotic women.

Aged ; Bone Density ; Bone and Bones ; metabolism ; Calcium ; blood ; Female ; Humans ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 ; blood ; Middle Aged ; Osteoprotegerin ; blood ; Postmenopause ; metabolism

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.

Adult ; Age Factors ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Osteoprotegerin ; blood ; RANK Ligand ; blood ; Reference Values ; Sex Factors

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of Zhengqing Fengtongning Tablet (ZFT) and methotrexate (MTX) on the expression of osteoprotegerin (OPG), receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappaB ligand (RANKL), and interleukin 17 (IL-17) in collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) rats, thus addressing their bone protection.

METHODSThe CIA rat model was established by intradermally injecting type II collagen emulsion from the rats' back and tail. Totally 28 successfully modeled rats [with the arthritis index (AI) more than 2] were randomly divided into the model group, the Chinese medicine (CM) treatment group, the MTX group, and the ZFT + MTX treatment group, 7 rats in each group. Another 7 rats were recruited as the normal control group. Rats were administered from the 7th day of modeling. Rats in the MTX group were treated with MTX at 3.8 mg/kg once a week. Those in the CM group were treated with ZFT at the daily dose of 130 mg/kg, once a day. Those in the ZFT + MTX treatment group were treated with both MTX (at 3.8 mg/kg once a week) and ZFT (at the daily dose of 130 mg/kg, once a day). Those in the model group and the normal control group were administered with normal saline of the equal volume by gastrogavage. All the intervention lasted for 26 days. The destruction of joints in the four limbs were observed using X-ray. The AI was recorded. The expression levels of serum OPG, RANKL, and IL-17 were detected at the end of the experiment.

RESULTSDuring the whole process, all rats except those in the model group were in a good condition. On the 21st day of modeling the AI of all rats reached the peak, but it decreased after treatment. Compared with the model group, the AI decreased in the CM treatment group, the MTX group, and the ZFT + MTX treatment group with statistical difference (P < 0.05). Compared with the model group, the OPG increased and RANKL decreased in the MTX group; the OPG and OPG/RANKL increased in the CM treatment group; the OPG, RANKL, and OPG/RANKL increased, and IL-17 decreased in the ZFT + MTX treatment group, all showing statistical difference (P < 0.05). Compared with the MTX and the ZFT + MTX treatment group, OPG/RANKL increased and IL-17 decreased in the ZFT + MTX treatment group (both P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONZFT + MTX could synergistically elevate peripheral OPG/RANKL and down-regulate IL-17 in CIA model rats.

Animals ; Arthritis, Experimental ; blood ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Interleukin-17 ; blood ; Methotrexate ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Osteoprotegerin ; blood ; RANK Ligand ; blood ; Rats

This study was purposed to investigate the relationship between the levels of soluble receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand (sRANKL) and osteoprotegerin (OPG) in serum of the patients with multiple myeloma (MM) and multiple myeloma bone disease (MBD). The serum levels of sRANKL, OPG, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase-5b (TRAP-5b) and C-terminal telopeptide of collagen I (CTP-I) which both are indexes for metabolism of osteoclast (OC) in newly diagnosed MM patients (n=42, experimental group) and healthy persons (n=25, control group) were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The roentgenography was used to determine bone damage in MM patients at the same time. According to these results acquired, the correlation of sRANKL/OPG ratio with levels of TRAP-5b/CTP-I, the incidence and degree of bone destruction were analyzed. The results indicated that the level of sRANKL (median value 9.33 microg/L) increased and level of OPG (median value 4.93 microg/L) decreased and the sRANKL/OPG ratio (2.65) increased significantly in experimental group. Compared with control group, the differences in all the corresponding indicators were statistically significant (p<0.05). The sRANKL/OPG ratio was closely related to levels of TRAP-5b (r=0.512, p<0.05) and CTP-I (r=0.481, p<0.05) in MM patients. After all patients in experimental groups were divided into group with bone destruction (n=29) and without bone destruction (n=13), the sRANKL/OPG ratio in the group with bone destruction was 5.13 and much higher than that in group without bone destruction (1.12) (p<0.05). A close correlation between the sRANKL/OPG ratio and degree of bone destruction (r=0.445, p<0.05) was acquired when all MM patients were divided into three groups according to degree of bone destruction, but no difference between the ratio and clinical classification and International Staging System (ISS) in MM patients was found. It is concluded that the sRANKL/OPG ratio in serum of MM patients is significantly elevated, which may be closely related to increase metabolism of OC along with the incidence and degree of bone destruction. In short, the sRANKL/OPG ratio can be used as a reference index for the diagnosis of MBD.
Adult ; Aged ; Bone Diseases ; blood ; diagnosis ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multiple Myeloma ; blood ; diagnosis ; Osteoprotegerin ; blood ; RANK Ligand ; blood

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the relationship between single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)s in Wnt antagonist genes, and production of osteoprotegerin (OPG) and soluble receptor activator of NF-kappaB ligand (sRANKL) by whole blood cells after hormone therapy (HT) in postmenopausal Korean women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Dkk1 c.318A>G, Dkk2 c.437G>A, Dkk3 c.1003A>G polymorphisms and sFRP3 c.970C>G, sFRP4 c.958C>A, and c.1019G>A polymorphisms, and sFRP5 c.20G>C polymorphisms were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP), direct sequencing, and Taqman assay in 75 postmenopausal Korean women receiving estrogen-progestogen therapy. The production of OPG and sRANKL by lipopolysaccharide-stimulated whole blood cells (WBC) before and after HT of 6 months were also measured. RESULTS: Changes in the production of OPG and sRANKL by lipopolysaccharide-stimulated WBC, and in ratios of sRANKL(x1,000)/OPG after HT of 6 months were not different according to SNPs in Wnt signal pathway genes except Dkk1 c.318A>G SNP. The AA genotype of Dkk1 c.318A>G SNP showed significantly higher changes (p<0.05) in ratios of sRANKL(x1,000)/OPG compared to other genotypes. There were no significant differences in changes in the production of OPG and sRANKL, and in ratios of sRANKL(x1,000)/OPG among combined genotypes of sFRP4 c.958C>A, and c.1019G>A polymorphisms after HT. CONCLUSIONS: Dkk1 c.318A>G SNP are related with changes in ratios of sRANKL(x1,000)/OPG in terms of the production of OPG and sRANKL by lipopolysaccharide-stimulated whole blood cells after HT.
Blood Cells ; Female ; Genotype ; Humans ; NF-kappa B ; Osteoprotegerin ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor-kappa B ; Signal Transduction

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Icariin (ICA) on serum receptor activator of NFkappaB-ligand (RANKL)/osteoprotegerin (OPG) production and bone destruction in type II collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) rats.

METHODSThe CIA rat model was established in all rats, except those in the normal group (n = 8) using bovine type II collagen and complete Freund's adjuvant. Totally 24 CIA rats with arthritis index (AI) > or = 6 were selected and divided into the model group, the methotrexate (MTX) group, and the ICA group according to the AI score, 8 in each group. Normal saline was given to rats in the normal group and the model group by gastrogavage. MTX at the weekly dose of 5 mg/kg was given to rats in the MTX group. ICA at the daily dose of 20 mg/kg was given to rats in the ICA group. All medication lasted for 4 weeks. The AI scores were recorded once a week. Histomorphologic changes of the ankle joint were observed by HE staining. The bone destruction and the osteoporosis of the foot phalanx were detected by X-ray. Serum levels of RANKL and OPG were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTSAfter 4-week intervention, when compared with the model group, AI score and Larsen score were significantly lower, the serum RANKL concentration and the RANKL/OPG ratio obviously decreased, while the serum OPG concentration obviously increased in the CIA group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). In the MTX group, the aforesaid indices decreased, but without statistical difference (P > 0.05). Results of HE staining indicated that hyperplasia of joint synovium, infiltration of inflammatory cells, and the degree of articular cartilage destruction were obviously alleviated in the ICA group.

CONCLUSIONICA could alleviate or lessen the degree of articular cartilage destruction in CIA rats, and its mechanism might be associated with reducing serum levels of RANKL and elevating levels of OPG, thus further decreasing the ratio of RANKL/OPG.

Animals ; Arthritis, Experimental ; blood ; pathology ; Collagen Type II ; adverse effects ; Female ; Flavonoids ; pharmacology ; Osteoprotegerin ; blood ; RANK Ligand ; blood ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of Migu Tablet (MGT) on bone mineral density (BMD), serum levels of osteoprotegerin (OPG) and its ligand (OPGL), and bone metabolic markers in patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMO).

METHODSBMD in 192 women of natural menopause, 48 to 65 years old, were determined. Among them, 160 women with PMO were randomized into 4 groups, 54 in the Migu Tablet group (MGTG), 53 in the Xianlin Gubao group (XLGBG) and 53 in the Leli Calcium group (LCG). And the other 32 women with BMD in normal range were set as the control group. Serum levels of OPG, OPGL, bone alkaline phosphates (sBAP), osteocalcin (sOC), cross-linked C-telopeptides of collagen type I (sCTx), and urine level of bone cross-linked N-telopeptides of collagen type I (uNTx) were measured before treatment and at the 12th and 24th week of treatment, with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA); BMD of orthophoric lumbar vertebrae, femoral neck, Ward's triangle and trochanter were determined by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry at the same time as well.

RESULTSAfter 24-week treatment, BMD was heightened to different degree, serum levels of OPG, sCTx, uNTx/Cr were significantly decreased and OPGL, sBAP, sOC were increased in the MGTG and XLGBG, while these indexes showed insignificant change in the LCG and the control group.

CONCLUSIONThe effect of MGT in treating PMO were notable, just like that of XLGB, but single medication of calcium tablet cannot alleviate the disease and also incapable to prevent the loss of bone.

Bone Density ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal ; blood ; drug therapy ; Osteoprotegerin ; blood ; Phytotherapy ; RANK Ligand ; blood ; Tablets ; Treatment Outcome