Osteoprotegerin Plasma Concentrations Are Correlated with Forced Expiratory Volume At 1 Second (Fev1) in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Abstract

Introduction: Several inflammatory biomarkers such as 1L-1 beta, IL-6 and TNF-alpha have been evaluated during stable state and exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), Osteoprotegerin (OPG) is a member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor family that inhibits receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B ligand (RANKL). OPG mRNA is expressed in the lung and macrophages. The objective of the study was to evaluate the serum level of OPG and its correlation with forced expiratory volume at I second (FEV1) in patients with COPD versus healthy volunteers. Materials and methods: The study was conducted between June 2011 and October 2012 in the pulmonology clinic of the medical school at Namuk Kemal University. Previously diagnosed stable 47 COPD patients and non-smoking gender- and age-matched 23 healthy volunteers were included to the study. Osteoprotegerin levels in the serum were quantified by Biovendor enzyme linked immunosorbent assays. Results: The level of FEV1. on average was 593 +/- 16.9. Plasma OPG concentrations of COPD patients (8.61 +/- 4.4.78 ng/ml. n=47) were higher than those of healthy control group (6.29 +/- 1.36 ng/ml. n=23). The difference was statistically significant (p<0.05). On the other hand, serum OPG levels had a significantly negative correlation with FEV1 (r= - 0.33 p<0.05). Conclusion: OPG levels are increased in COPD patients and correlated with FEV1. After larger and longitudinal studies OPG may be used as a biomarker of the lung function in COPD patients.