Assessment of Salivary Levels of RANKL and OPG in Aggressive versus Chronic Periodontitis.

Alexandra Cornelia Teodorescu,Silvia Mârțu,Maria Alexandra Martu,Silvia Teslaru,Ancuta Goriuc,Ionut Luchian,Ioana Martu,Diana Cristala Kappenberg-Nitescu,Sorina Mihaela Solomon

doi:10.1155/2019/6195258

Abstract

RANKL (receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-β ligand) and OPG (osteoprotegerin) are two proteins involved in bone remodelling. During the active phase of periodontal disease, an imbalance between the ratios of the two elements can be noticed. While the expression of RANKL is elevated compared with that of OPG, the RANKL is available to bond with RANK (receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-β). This study was conducted on 41 patients: 19 with generalized aggressive periodontitis, 18 with severe chronic periodontitis, and 4 periodontal healthy subjects. For each patient included, we determined the salivary levels of RANKL and OPG with the help of two Human ELISA kits. The results show that the patients affected by periodontitis, either aggressive or chronic, have significant higher values of RANKL and RANKL/OPG ratio. This values correlate with the local inflammation status.

Highlights

All bones of the human skeleton, including the maxillary bones, undergo a constant and continuous remodelling process throughout the life, so that they can adapt to the biomechanical forces that are generated
The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes in the two salivary proteins, RANKL and OPG, during generalized aggressive periodontitis (GAP) and severe chronic periodontitis (SCP), and to explore their correlation with the bleeding on the probing index (BOP)
The highest value was noticed in the GAP group, with a mean of 36, 46 ± 20,924 pg/ml, and the lowest value was registered in the H group, with a mean of 12, 62 ± 1,068 pg/ml (Figure 1)

Summary

Introduction

All bones of the human skeleton, including the maxillary bones, undergo a constant and continuous remodelling process throughout the life, so that they can adapt to the biomechanical forces that are generated. All bones consist of “support” cells (osteoblasts or osteoclasts), “remodelling” cells (osteoclasts), a collagen matrix, and noncollagenic proteins called “osteoid,” plus inorganic mineral salts inside the matrix. Bone remodelling is a process that must take place in an organized manner which depends directly on the growing and activation of osteoclasts and osteoblasts [1]. RANK, a cell surface receptor, makes the precursor osteoclastic cells to develop into completely differentiated osteoclasts when it is activated by its ligand (RANKL). This ligand is part of the TNF (tumor necrosis factor) superfamily and it is vital to the formation of osteoclasts. It is a key molecule that favours the interaction between osteoblasts and osteoclasts in bone remodelling [1]

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