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Coronary artery calcification and cardiovascular risk: the role of RANKL/OPG signalling
Author(s) -
Quercioli Alessandra,
Montecucco Fabrizio,
Bertolotto Maria,
Ottonello Luciano,
Pende Aldo,
Mach François,
Dallegri Franco
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
european journal of clinical investigation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.164
H-Index - 107
eISSN - 1365-2362
pISSN - 0014-2972
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2362.2010.02308.x
Subject(s) - osteoprotegerin , rankl , medicine , cardiology , calcification , coronary artery disease , population , receptor , activator (genetics) , environmental health
Eur J Clin Invest 2010; 40 (7): 645–654 Abstract Background Coronary artery disease (CAD) represents the most relevant cause of death and morbidity in the adult population of developed and developing countries. During the last decades, a strong research effort has been performed to identify more selective markers and better assess the cardiovascular risk in both primary and secondary prevention. Materials and methods This review updates current knowledge regarding the pathophysiological relevance as possible markers of coronary calcification of the receptor activator of nuclear factor‐kappa ligand (RANKL)/osteoprotegerin (OPG) system. Furthermore, the potential clinical use of both RANKL/OPG and coronary calcium score (CAC) to assess cardiovascular vulnerability has been discussed. Results Emerging evidence indicates that atherosclerotic plaque calcification is positively correlated with vulnerability. Several inflammatory mediators have been shown to modulate arterial calcification, thus increasing the risk of plaque rupture. Among these factors, RANKL/OPG axis might be of particular interest as a promising biomarker of plaque vulnerability in subjects with diffuse coronary calcification. Conclusion Together with clinical parameters of coronary calcification (such as CAC), circulating RANKL/OPG levels could contribute to better assess and predict cardiac events.