High levels of osteoprotegerin and soluble receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand in serum of rheumatoid arthritis patients and their normalization after anti–tumor necrosis factor α treatment

Abstract

Although higher serum levels of OPG and sRANKL are present in RA patients than in healthy individuals, the ratio of OPG:sRANKL is similar. There is an age-dependent increase of OPG but not sRANKL levels in healthy subjects. Anti-TNF alpha treatment results in the normalization of elevated levels of OPG and sRANKL in RA patients.