OPG/RANKL/RANK gene methylation among alcohol-induced femoral head necrosis in northern Chinese men

Abstract Background and purpose Alcohol-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) is a complex heterogeneous disease. Genetic factors epigenetic modifications are one pathogenesis However, influence on disease has not been systematically studied. Our research aims to determine methylation changes alcohol-induced ONFH. Methods An analytical cross-sectional study Chinese male population (50 ONFH patients 50 controls). The EpiTYPER Sequenom MassARRAY platform was used detect DNA status 132 cytosine-phosphate-guanine (CpG) sites in OPG/RANKL/RANK gene promoter region. Results In whole group, chi-square test analyze rate between two groups, six CpG were found be different, among which OPG1_CpG_2, OPG3_CpG_4, RANK1_CpG_6, RANK3_CpG_10, RANKL2_CpG_21, RANKL2_CpG_46 case group higher than those control while OPG4_CpG_2 lower that group. results showed with ONFH, 146 examined for differences levels compared healthy controls, 32 detected, 23 remaining 114 patients. Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve analysis demonstrated could efficiently predict existence Conclusion men suggests several peripheral blood leukocytes an abnormal state (hypermethylation tended more frequent).