Circulating RANKL/OPG in polymyalgia rheumatica

CER3062
2007 Vol.25, N°4
PI 0621, PF 0623
Brief Papers

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PMID: 17888221 [PubMed]

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:
To evaluate whether RANKL/OPG balance is modified in PMR patients, either in the active phase of the disease or during corticosteroid treatment.
METHODS:
Circulating levels of RANKL and OPG were assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in PMR patients with active untreated disease and in patients treated by corticosteroids over a 12-month follow-up period.
RESULTS:
We found no statistically significant differences in circulating levels of OPG between PMR patients either in the active phase of the disease or during all follow-up period compared to normal controls. On the other hand, systemic production of sRANKL is increased and is not modulated by corticosteroid treatment.
CONCLUSIONS:
In PMR increased levels of sRANKL may be related to bone osteoporosis. Further investigations are necessary to evaluate the relationship between the RANK/RANKL/OPG system and bone turnover in PMR patients.