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Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 2008; 116(8): 491-495
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-993142
Article

© J. A. Barth Verlag in Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Serum Levels of Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor κB Ligand (RANKL) in Healthy Women and Men

K. Kerschan-Schindl 1 , J. Wendlova 2 , S. Kudlacek 3 , A. Gleiss 4 , W. Woloszczuk 5 , P. Pietschmann 6 , 7
  • 1Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
  • 2Osteological Unit, University Hospital and Polyclinic Kramare, Bratislava, Slovakia
  • 3Department of Internal Medicine, Krankenhaus der Barmherzigen Brueder, Vienna, Austria
  • 4Section of Clinical Biometrics, Core Unit for Medical Statistics and Informatics, Vienna, Austria
  • 5Ludwig Boltzmann Institute of Rheumatology, Vienna, Austria
  • 6Department of Pathophysiology, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
  • 7Ludwig Boltzmann Institute of Aging Research, Vienna, Austria
Further Information

Publication History

received 07.05.2007 first decision 02.10.2007

accepted 29.10.2007

Publication Date:
10 December 2007 (online)

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Abstract

Background: Osteoporosis is one of the most common conditions associated with aging. It is based on an excess of bone resorption over bone formation, leading to an imbalance of bone turnover. The receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand (RANKL) is an important regulator of bone metabolism.

Objective: The aim of this investigation was to evaluate potential age- and gender-related changes in free RANKL and total RANKL (free RANKL+RANKL/osteoprotegerin complexes).

Methods: Two hundred and forty volunteers with a median age of 48 years were included in the study. Serum levels of free RANKL and total RANKL were evaluated.

Results: On average, men have a 1.77-fold higher free RANKL level and a 2.12-fold higher free/total RANKL ratio than women of the same age. On average, the RANKL levels decrease by approximately 13% every five years.

Conclusion: This study showed that serum levels of free RANKL and total RANKL decrease with age, and also revealed some gender-related differences.

Key words

bone metabolism - free RANKL (receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand) - total RANKL - age - gender

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Correspondence

K. Kerschan-SchindlMD 

Associate Professor

Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation

Medical University of Vienna

Waehringer Guertel 18-20

1090 Vienna

Austria

Phone: +43/1/404 00 43 33

Fax: +43/1/404 00 52 81

Email: Katharina.Kerschan-Schindl@meduniwien.ac.at

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