What is it about?

To assess the levels of receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand (RANKL) in serum and synovial fluid (SF) of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA) and to correlate its levels with disease activity and severity.

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Why is it important?

The relative levels of RANKL and OPG, which is the natural soluble inhibitor of interactions between RANK and RANKL, play a vital role in determining whether bone is formed or lost. Whereas the tumor necrosis factor receptor ‘like’ molecules RANK, RANKL, and OPG are crucial for physiological osteoclast formation, it is now recognized that they are key regulators of osteoclast activity in the disease.

Perspectives

synovial fluid level of RANKL was correlated with parameters of disease activity and severity in RA and OA patients rather than its serum level. A significant elevation in the synovial fluid level of RANKL was detected in patients with erosive than in patients with nonerosive OA.

Professor shereen refaat kamel
Minia University

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This page is a summary of: Receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand serum and synovial fluid level. A comparative study between rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, Rheumatology International, February 2011, Springer Science + Business Media,
DOI: 10.1007/s00296-011-1831-0.
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