Salivary level of RANKL and OPG in chronic periodontitis

Abstract

Background: Periodontal diseases are initiated by microbial plaque, which accumulates in the sulcular region andinduces an inflammatory response. The Receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B ligand / osteoprotegerin(RANKL/OPG) axis is involved in the regulation of bone metabolism in periodontitis, in which an increase in receptoractivator of nuclear factor-kappa B ligand or a decrease in osteoprotegerin can tip the balance in favor ofosteoclastogenesis and the resorption of alveolar bone that is the hallmark of periodontitis. This study was performedto investigate the role of salivary levels of RANKL and OPG in pathogenesis of chronic periodontitis.Subjects and Methods: Fifty five subjects with chronic periodontitis with ages range from 24-64 years and 25apparently healthy volunteers their ages and sexes were matched with the patients were participated in this study.Periodontal parameters used in this study were plaque index, gingival index, probing pocket depth, clinicalattachment level and bleeding on probing. Saliva samples were collected from all patients and controls. Enzymelinkedimmunosorbent assay was carried out for estimation the salivary level of RANKL and OPG in studied groups.Results: The present data revealed that the median salivary levels of RANKL was elevated in patient as comparedwith control group (P<0.001), whereas the salivary levels of OPG doesn’t show any significant differences betweenthe study groups (p>0.05). In contrast the ratio of RANKL/OPG ratio was significantly higher in patients whencompared with the ratio in control group. Furthermore, negative significant correlation was noticed between RANKLand OPG. Regarding correlation between salivary (RANKL and OPG) and clinical periodontal parameters, RANKLlevels was showed significant positive correlation with each of probing pocket depth and clinical attachment level.Otherwise no association between OPG levels and clinical parameters of periodontitis was found. Moreover; theratio RANKL/OPG was showed significant positive correlation with each of gingival index, probing pocket depth andclinical attachment level.Conclusion: This study demonstrates that salivary levels of RANKL and OPG play a crucial role in pathogenesis ofperiodontitis, and the relative RANKL/ OPG ratio appears to be indicative of disease occurrence