Expressions of RANK, RANKL, and osteoprotegerin in male rats at different ages / 南方医科大学学报
Journal of Southern Medical University
;
(12): 1539-1542, 2011.
Article
in Chinese
| WPRIM
| ID: wpr-333869
ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the expression of receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB (RANK), its ligand RANKL, and osteoprotegerin, and observe the effects of αD3 on their expressions in male rats at different ages.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Wistar rats at 6 weeks, 6 months, and 24 months (n=15) were examined for mRNA expressions of RANK/RANKL and osteoprotegerin in the left proximal femur using RT-PCR and for their protein expressions in the right femur using immunohistochemistry. RANK/RANKL and osteoprotegerin expressions were also detected in another 15 rats aged 24 months following intragastric administration of 0.05 µg/kg αD3 (3 times a week for 10 weeks).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with 6-week-old rats, 6-month- and 24-month-old rats showed a 6.2-fold and 7.3-fold increase of RANKL mRNA expression, respectively (P<0.05), and osteoprotegerin mRNA levels increased slightly with age. αD3 treatment resulted in significantly increased expression of RANK in 24-month-old rats with a lowered RANKL/osteoprotegerin ratio. RANKL and osteoprotegerin were co-localized in the osteoblasts and chondrocytes. αD3 treatment also caused an increased expression of osteoprotegerin mRNA in 24-month-old rats.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The age-related increase of the ratio of RANKL/osteoprotegerin mRNA promotes osteoclast activity and bone turnover. αD3 has favorable effect on osteogenesis and suppress bone absorption in the femur possibly by reducing RANK expression and lowering RANKL/osteoprotegerin ratio.</p>
Full text:
Available
Index:
WPRIM (Western Pacific)
Main subject:
Osteoblasts
/
RNA, Messenger
/
Age Factors
/
Rats, Wistar
/
Chondrocytes
/
RANK Ligand
/
Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor-kappa B
/
Osteoprotegerin
/
Femur
/
Genetics
Limits:
Animals
Language:
Chinese
Journal:
Journal of Southern Medical University
Year:
2011
Type:
Article
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