Age and gender predict OPG level and OPG/sRANKL ratio in maintenance hemodialysis patients.

PURPOSE Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major cause of death among chronic hemodialysis (HD) patients. Gender and age belong to its classical risk factors. OPG/RANK/sRANKL (Osteoprotegerin/ Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor κB/ soluble Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor κB Ligand) axis constitute a system connecting bone and vascular remodeling. METHODS We aimed to evaluate the plasma levels of OPG, sRANKL and OPG/sRANKL ratio in 21 HD patients and 16 healthy volunteers in relation to gender, age and the other clinical parameters. RESULTS OPG and OPG/sRANKL ratio were significantly higher in HD patients than in controls whereas sRANKL was similar in both groups. Adjusted for gender, in controls OPG were higher in women whereas sRANKL did not differ between men and women. In HD group OPG and sRANKL were higher in women whereas OPG/sRANKL ratio was similar in both genders. Female patients compared to healthy women revealed 56% higher OPG concentration and 54% higher OPG/ sRANKL ratio. Comparison of male patients and controls revealed 61% higher level of OPG and 75% higher OPG/sRANKL ratio in HD group. Interestingly, OPG and OPG/sRANKL ratio positively correlated with age only in male patients. Contrary, the association between OPG/sRANKL ratio and age was negative in HD women. CONCLUSION Higher OPG levels in HD women comparing to age matched HD men indicate the necessity of more careful screening towards the presence of CVD and bone-mineral disorders. The negative association between age and OPG/ sRANKL ratio in HD women warrant in-depth study for thorough understanding of this complex interrelationship.