title: Evaluation of RANKL/OPG Serum Concentration Ratio as a New Biomarker for Coronary Artery Calcification: A Pilot Study.
abstract: Objective. There is a strong need for biomarkers to identify patients at risk for future cardiovascular events related with progressive atherosclerotic disease. Osteoprotegerin (OPG) protects the skeleton from excessive bone resorption by binding to receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL) and preventing it from binding to its receptor, receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB. However, conflicting results have been obtained about association of serum level of OPG or RANKL with coronary artery disease (CAD). Based on their role in inflammation and matrix degradation and the fact that atherosclerotic plaque formation is an inflammatory process, we hypothesized that RANKL : OPG ratio could be a better biomarker for CAD. Methods. In this cross-sectional study, the correlation between RANKL : OPG ratio serum concentration and coronary artery calcification (CAC) in 50 patients with ischemic coronary disease has been investigated. We used ELISA method for measuring RANKL and OPG serum concentrations. Results. There was a significant correlation between RANKL : OPG serum concentration ratio and CAC in our study population (P = 0.01). Conclusion. Our results suggested that RANKL : OPG ratio concentration has a potential of being used as a marker for coronary artery disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacodynamy and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad 9188865531, Iran.
authors.forename: Amir Hooshang
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Mohammadpour
authors.forename: Jamal
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Shamsara
authors.forename: Saeed
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nazemi
authors.forename: Samira
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ghadirzadeh
authors.forename: Shabnam
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shahsavand
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ramezani