Effects of osteoprotegerin on bone metabolism in the elderly with osteoporosis

Objective To observe the effects of osteoprotegerin (OPG) on bone metabolism in the elderly with osteoporosis. Methods One hundred and fifty advanced elderly people with osteoporosis were found during physical examination from July 2009 to July 2014 in Zhejiang Hospital, and the diagnosis was confirmed by bone mineral density determination, and another group of 150 non-osteoporosis people serving as control were also enrolled in this study. OPG level and bone metabolism markers [bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BAP), N-MID osteocalcin, β-C-terminal telopeptide of type Ⅰ collage (β-CTx) and deoxypyridinoline (DPD)] were assayed, and influence of OPG on the bone metabolism in osteoporosis was observed. Pearson correlation analysis was applied to analyze the relationship between OPG and age, bone formation markers and bone resorption markers. Results Compared with the advanced elderly people in non-osteoporosis group, bone formation markers (BAP and N-MID osteocalcin) decreased, bone resorption markers (β-CTx and DPD) increased, and OPG level decreased in the OPG group (P<0.05). There was a positive correlation between osteoprotegerin level and bone formation markers, and a negative correlation between osteoprotegerin level and bone resorption markers (γ1,2,3,4=0.27, 0.52, –0.34, –0.41, P