title: Murine RANK protein's inhibition of bone resorption.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective was to study the inhibitory effects of recombinant murine receptor activator of nuclear factor κB (RANK) protein on osteoclasts in vivo and in vitro.
  
  
  METHODS
  The RANK protein was added to the cocultures of osteoclasts at concentrations of 10(-6), 10(-5), and 10(-4) g/L. The morphology and number of osteoclasts were examined. Female KM mice were ovariectomized and treated with RANK protein at 5 mg/kg body weight. Biochemical markers of bone metabolism, bone mineral density, and bone morphology were examined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three days after RANK treatment, the numbers of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase-positive osteoclasts and resorption pits in bone slices decreased significantly in each treatment group, with the most significant decrease observed in the 10(-4) g/L group. Compared with the control group in vivo, the RANK-treated group exhibited higher bone mineral density and nearly complete inhibition of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase-positive osteoclasts in bone slices.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Recombinant murine RANK protein effectively inhibits the activity of osteoclasts and the resulting bone resorption.
authors: Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, People’s Republic of China.
authors: Junhe
authors: J
authors: Zhang
authors: Licheng
authors: L
authors: Zhang
authors: Meng
authors: M
authors: Xu
authors: Lihai
authors: L
authors: Zhang
authors: Peifu
authors: P
authors: Tang
authors: Chuanlu
authors: C
authors: Jiang
mesh_terms: D000135:Acid Phosphatase; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000097:blood; D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D015519:Bone Density / Q000187:drug effects; D001862:Bone Resorption / Q000378:metabolism*; D002118:Calcium / Q000097:blood; D018920:Coculture Techniques; D005260:Female; D007527:Isoenzymes; D051379:Mice; D010010:Osteoclasts / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism*; D010052:Ovariectomy; D010758:Phosphorus / Q000097:blood; D053246:Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor-kappa B / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000071681:Tartrate-Resistant Acid Phosphatase; D055114:X-Ray Microtomography
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D007527:Isoenzymes; D053246:Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor-kappa B; D010758:Phosphorus; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase; D000135:Acid Phosphatase; D000071681:Tartrate-Resistant Acid Phosphatase; D002118:Calcium