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Relationship between RANKL and neuroendocrine activation in elderly males with heart failure
Goran Loncar1, Biljana Bozic, Vojkan Cvorovic
1Cardiology Department, Clinical Medical Center Zvezdara, Belgrade, Serbia. loncar_goran@yahoo.com
Endocrine
|October 22, 2010
Summary
Elevated serum receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (sRANKL) is linked to neuroendocrine activation in elderly males with systolic heart failure. This finding suggests sRANKL may play a role in heart failure pathogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Endocrinology
- Bone Biology
Background:
- Receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL) and osteoprotegerin (OPG) are key regulators of bone remodeling.
- Emerging evidence suggests a link between RANKL/OPG and cardiovascular disease, including heart failure.
- Neuroendocrine activation, indicated by biomarkers like NT-pro-BNP and adiponectin, is implicated in heart failure pathophysiology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between serum RANKL (sRANKL) and markers of neuroendocrine activation in elderly males with congestive heart failure (CHF).
- To assess the relationship between sRANKL levels and clinical/echocardiographic parameters in this patient cohort.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study involving 75 elderly males with mild to moderate CHF (left ventricular ejection fraction <40%) and 20 age/BMI-matched healthy male volunteers.
- Serum levels of sRANKL, OPG, NT-pro-BNP, adiponectin, and leptin were measured.
- Clinical and echocardiography data were collected; statistical analyses included comparative analysis, risk assessment, correlation, and multivariate regression.
Main Results:
- CHF patients exhibited significantly higher sRANKL levels compared to controls (126.8 vs. 47.8 pg/ml, P < 0.0001).
- Increased sRANKL was associated with a significantly higher risk of systolic CHF (OR = 10.286, P < 0.0001).
- In CHF patients, sRANKL positively correlated with NT-pro-BNP and adiponectin, and inversely with BMI and creatinine clearance. sRANKL was an independent determinant of NT-pro-BNP.
Conclusions:
- Serum RANKL is significantly associated with markers of neuroendocrine activation, specifically NT-pro-BNP and adiponectin, in elderly males with systolic heart failure.
- These findings suggest a potential role for sRANKL in the complex pathogenesis of heart failure.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the precise mechanisms underlying the association between sRANKL and heart failure.
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