Osteoprotegerin (OPG) and Matrix Gla protein (MGP) in rheumatoid arthritis patients: Relation to disease activity

Abstract

Background: Imbalanced Matrix Gla protein (MGP) and Osteoprotegerin (OPG) levels occur in inflammatory diseases. Aim of the work: The aim of the present study was to evaluate serum MGP and OPG levels in Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) patients and study their relation to the disease activity. Patients and methods: Forty-five female RA patients and 45 age and sex-matched healthy controls were included in this study. Disease activity score 28-C-reactive protein (DAS28-CRP) was used for the assessment of disease activity. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), MGP and OPG were measured in patients and controls. The associations of MGP and OPG with DAS28-CRP and the other laboratory and clinical variables were analyzed. Results: RA patients had significantly higher serum OPG levels (408.3. ط¢آ±. 520.9. pg/ml) and hs-CRP (2.8. ط¢آ±. 1.9. mg/l) than the control (92.5. ط¢آ±. 86.3. pg/ml and 0.9. ط¢آ±. 1.5. mg/l respectively) (p<. 0.001 each). There was no significant difference in MGP levels between the patients and control (p=0.3). The correlation of OPG and MGP with DAS28-CRP in the patients was insignificant (p=0.4 and p=0.8 respectively). Age positively correlated with OPG (r=0.32, p=0.02), but not with MGP concentration (r=0.05, p=0.64) in the RA patients. Conclusions: The significant elevation of the OPG level in RA patients may through light on its possible role in the pathogenesis of this disease and could be considered as a future therapeutic target. The significant correlation with age suggests that OPG may be an important mediator especially in elderly RA cases. ط¢آ© 2014.