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Are OPG and RANKL involved in human fracture healing?
Author(s) -
Köttstorfer Julia,
Thomas Anita,
Gregori Markus,
Kecht Mathias,
Kaiser Georg,
Eipeldauer Stefan,
Sarahrudi Kambiz
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
journal of orthopaedic research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.041
H-Index - 155
eISSN - 1554-527X
pISSN - 0736-0266
DOI - 10.1002/jor.22723
Subject(s) - bone healing , medicine , osteoprotegerin , rankl , bone fracture , osteoblast , osteoclast , endocrinology , surgery , receptor , chemistry , biochemistry , activator (genetics) , in vitro , radiology
Human fracture healing is a complex interaction of several cytokines that regulate osteoblast and osteoclast activity. By monitoring OPG (osteoprotegerin) and sRANKL we aimed to possibly predict normal or impaired fracture healing. In 64 patients with a fracture of a long bone serum level of sRANKL and OPG were evaluated with respect to bony union ( n = 57) or pseudarthrosis ( n = 7). Measurements were carried out at admission and at 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24, and 48 weeks after the injury. Patients' serum levels were compared to 33 healthy controls. Fracture hematoma contained significantly higher sRANKL and OPG concentrations compared to patients serum ( p = 0.005, p = 0.028). OPG level in fracture hematoma was higher compared to the unions serum level ( p = 0.028). sRANKL was decreased in unions during the observation period. In non‐unions sRANKL and OPG levels showed a variable course, with no statistical significance. This is the first study to document the course of OPG and sRANKL in normal and delayed human fracture healing emphasizing its local and systemic involvement. We provide evidence of strongly enhanced OPG levels in patients with a long bone fracture compared to healthy controls. Further, levels of free sRANKL were decreased during regular fracture repair. © 2014 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 32:1557–1561, 2014.