吡咯喹啉醌通过降低氧化应激和RANKL/OPG比率减少去卵巢大鼠骨量流失研究

目的观察补充吡咯喹啉醌(PQQ)对去卵巢诱导的骨质疏松大鼠骨量和骨强度的影响。方法 30只12周龄(225～260 g)雌性SD大鼠随机分为3组(每组n=10),即OVX组、OVX+PQQ组和Sham组;其中OVX组和OVX+PQQ组进行手术切除双侧卵巢,而Sham组进行假手术; OVX+PQQ组术后食物添加4 mg/kg PQQ。治疗12周,在治疗结束收集血液和股骨,分别进行微型计算机断层扫描(Micro-CT)、生物力学检测、组织切片检测、蛋白印迹检测(WB)以及血清指标检测。结果Micro-CT和HE切片表明,与Sham组相比,OVX组的股骨骨密度和骨微观参数显著降低(P0.05); OVX组的小梁间距显著增加(P0.05),而OVX+PQQ上述指标明显优于OVX组(P0.05)。生物力学检测表明Sham组具有最高的极限载荷、能量和刚度;与OVX组比较,OVX+PQQ组极限载荷、能量和刚度明显增加(P0.05)。血清学表明,与Sham组大鼠相比,OVX大鼠血清CTX-1、TRACP-5b和MDA水平均显著升高,而T-AOC和SOD活性显著降低; PQQ治疗后显著改善(P0.05)。WB检测结果表明与Sham组大鼠相比,OVX大鼠RANKL和RANKL/OPG比率均显著升高,而OPG和FOXO1表达显著降低;经过PQQ后得到RANKL和RANKL/OPG比率均显著降低,而OPG和FOXO1表达显著增加(P 0.05)。结论 PQQ通过抑制氧化应激和降低RANKL/OPG比率来增加去卵巢大鼠骨量和骨强度。     

RANKL/QPG在青少年特发性脊柱侧凸患者低骨量发生机制中的作用

目的从骨髓间质干细胞（MSCs）水平探讨RANKL及OPG与青少年特发性脊柱侧凸（AIS）患者骨量降低的关系。方法46例12-17岁志愿者分为2组,其中AIS组30例,年龄12-17岁,平均14.1岁。正常对照组16例,年龄12-17岁,平均14.7岁。AIS组Lenke1型14例,2型2例,3型6例,5型8例。2组均采用双能X线吸收测量仪测量BMD,测量部位包括非优势侧股骨近端及腰椎。分别从2组志愿者髂前上棘处骨穿刺抽取10ml骨髓,肝素抗凝。体外密度梯度离心法分离培养MSCs,扩增至P3代行表型鉴定,RT-PCR法检测2组MSCs中RANKL及OPG的 mRNA表达强度。结果AIS组腰椎（L2-L4）及股骨近端的BMD值明显低于正常对照组。AIS组RANKL的 mRNA表达显著强于对照组（P〈0.01）,而OPG的 mRNA表达显著低于对照组（P〈0.01）。结论RANKL及OPG在MSCs水平表达强度的异常可能与AIS骨量降低的分子机制相关。     

褪黑素对去卵巢大鼠细胞因子水平和RANKL/OPG比值及骨密度的影响

目的 观察褪黑素对去卵巢大鼠细胞因子水平和RANKL/OPG比值及骨密度的影响。方法 将32只3月龄的雌性大鼠随机分为4组,每组8只。A：假手术组(Sham组),B：去卵巢组(OVX组),C：去卵巢+β-雌二醇治疗组[487.5 μg/(kg·d),OVX+E2组],D：去卵巢+褪黑素治疗组[50 mg/(kg·d),OVX+MEL组],药物治疗8周。治疗结束后,处死动物,取胫骨进行骨密度(bone mineral density, BMD)测定,对股骨进行细胞因子和基因表达分析。结果 治疗8周时,OVX组胫骨骨密度较Sham组显著降低(P<0.05),而OVX+MEL组的胫骨骨密度较OVX组显著增高(P<0.05);OVX组RANKL/OPG比值较Sham组显著增高(P<0.05);OVX组股骨IL-17A及IL-1β和TNF-α较Sham组显著增加 (P<0.05),而IL-23较Sham组显著降低 (P<0.05)。OVX+MEL组的股骨IL-17A及IL-1β和TNF-α较OVX组显著降低,而IL-23较OVX组显著增加(P<0.05)。结论 褪黑素可以通过降低RANKL/OPG比值,改善IL-23、IL-17A、IL-1β和TNF-α细胞因子的表达来增加骨密度。     

RANK/RANKL/OPG系统在骨髓瘤骨病中的作用

多发性骨髓瘤骨病以进行性骨质破坏为主要特征,主要原因是破骨细胞大量生成和激活.核因子κB受体活化因子(RANK)及其配体(RANKL)、骨保护蛋白(OPG)是调节破骨细胞功能和活性的关键性调节因子,在骨髓瘤引起的骨质破坏中发挥重要作用.研究表明骨髓瘤患者局部RANKL/OPG比例增高可能是引起骨吸收的关键因素.临床前研究表明使用重组OPG或RANK可以抑制破骨形成,减少骨吸收,改变骨髓微环境,预防骨髓瘤骨病的形成,间接抑制骨髓瘤的发展.     

A significant association exists between receptor tyrosine kinase-like orphan receptor 2 gene variants and the OPG/RANKL ratio in human plasma

Summary

There is a paucity of studies investigating association between ROR2 gene variants and osteoporosis and osteoarthritis-related phenotypes. The published literature suggests that osteoprotegerin (OPG) and receptor activator of nuclear factor-kB ligand (RANKL) are essential for bone metabolism and correlate with osteoarthritis manifestation and progression. The present study provides evidence of the significant association between ROR2 variants and the OPG/RANKL ratio in human plasma. The present results also suggest significant association between ROR2 polymorphisms and severity of radiographic hand osteoarthritis.

Introduction

Despite the importance of the ROR-2 in skeletal physiology, there is a paucity of studies investigating the potential association of ROR2 gene variants with phenotypes relevant to osteoporosis and osteoarthritis. On the other hand, there is a considerable body of literature suggesting that OPG and RANKL and their ratio (OPG/RANKL) are essential for regulating bone resorption. This is also correlated with osteoarthritis manifestation and progression. The present study therefore examines whether ROR2 polymorphisms may be associated with the OPG/RANKL ratio and hand osteoarthritis (HOA).

Methods

The study was conducted in a family-based sample of 1,515 Caucasian individuals, assessed for radiographic hand osteoarthritis, using the Kellgren/Lawrence score. Of these, 865 individuals were genotyped for 19 SNPs, relatively equally covering the ROR2 locus, and their plasma levels of OPG and RANKL were assayed. The association between the selected SNPs and OPG, along with the OPG/RANKL ratio and HOA, was explored using the pedigree disequilibrium test.

Results

Of the total of 57 tests, 16 nominally significant results (p?p?p?=?0.006).

Conclusions

The present study provides evidence of the significant association between ROR2 variants and the OPG/RANKL ratio in human plasma and also suggests ROR2 association with HOA.     

骨碎补通过骨髓间充质干细胞调节RANKL/OPG抑制破骨细胞的实验研究

目的　研究骨碎补对绝经后骨质疏松大鼠骨髓间充质干细胞(bone marrow stromal cells,BMSCs)RANKL/OPG及破骨细胞分化成熟的影响并探查其可能的作用机制。方法 实验大鼠去双侧卵巢造模,分为实验组（OVXDF,造模+骨碎补水煎液灌胃）、模型组（OVX,造模+0.9%生理盐水灌胃）、假手术组（SHAM,假手术+0.9%生理盐水灌胃）,造模成功后提取BMSCs,将BMSCs和骨髓单核细胞共培养于Transwell小室的上室和下室,分为实验组+破骨细胞（OVXDF+OC）、模型组+破骨细胞（OVX+OC）、假手术组+破骨细胞（SHAM+OC）。下室加入破骨细胞诱导剂,倒置相差显微镜观察破骨细胞的分化成熟情况并计数,酶联免疫吸附剂测定（ELISA）检测下室培养液中骨保护素(osteoprotegerin,OPG)、RANKL的含量,并计算RANKL/OPG,实时荧光定量PCR和蛋白质印迹法(Western blot)检测BMSCs中Wnt10b、β-catenin、RANKL、OPG mRAN及蛋白表达并计算RANKL/OPG。结果 在共培养系统中,与去卵巢灌胃大鼠BMSCs共培养的破骨细胞（OVXDF+OC）数量较单纯模型组+破骨细胞（OVX+OC）明显减少（P＜0.05）。下室培养液OPG含量及共培养BMSCs中Wnt10b、β-catenin、OPG mRAN及蛋白表达模型组+破骨细胞（OVX+OC）最低,RANKL及RANKL/OPG最高,经骨碎补灌胃后（OVXDF+OC）培养液中OPG含量及BMSCs细胞中Wnt10b、β-catenin、OPG mRAN及蛋白表达明显升高,培养液及BMSCs细胞中RANKL及RANKL/OPG明显降低（P＜0.05）。结论 骨碎补可调节BMSCs细胞OPG、RANKL的表达,激活OPG/RANKL/RANK信号通路抑制破骨细胞的分化和成熟,此作用可能与BMSCs的Wnt/β-catenin信号通路的激活有关。     

OPG-RANKL-RANK系统对绝经后女性类风湿关节炎患者骨代谢的影响

目的探讨绝经女性类风湿关节炎(RA)患者外周血核因子-κB受体活化因子配体(RANKL)、骨保护素(OPG)与炎症因子及骨代谢指标之间的相关性。方法收集绝经女性RA患者45例和健康对照组25例。采用双能X射线骨密度测量仪(DEXA)测骨密度,酶联免疫吸附法(ELISA)测定人外周血清RANKL、OPG、IL-6水平,并详细记录临床、实验室资料。两组间计量资料比较采用t检验,相关分析采用Pearson积差相关法。结果 1与健康对照组相比,绝经女性RA组的骨密度、OPG/RANKL低于对照组,RANKL、IL-6水平高于对照组(P0.05),OPG在两组间并无统计学差异(P0.05)。2绝经女性RA患者OP组较非OP组有更高的抗CCP抗体水平(P0.05),RANKL、OPG、DAS28评分等并无差异(P0.05)。3绝经女性RA患者外周血中RANKL与DAS28评分、PINP、β-CTX、IL-6正相关(r=0.357,0.381,0.370,0.330,P0.05),OPG与PINP、β-CTX、IL-6正相关(r=0.561,0.511,0.328,P0.05)。结论绝经女性RA患者RANKL水平与炎症因子IL-6的诱导密切相关,但作为动态变化指标,仅反映近期骨代谢状况,并不能反映长期骨密度的变化。     

Genetic variation in the RANKL/RANK/OPG signaling pathway is associated with bone turnover and bone mineral density in men

The aim of this study was to determine if single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in RANKL, RANK, and OPG influence bone turnover and bone mineral density (BMD) in men. Pairwise tag SNPs (r² ≥ 0.8) were selected for RANKL, RANK, and OPG and their 10‐kb flanking regions. Selected tag SNPs plus five SNPs near RANKL and OPG, associated with BMD in published genome‐wide association studies (GWAS), were genotyped in 2653 men aged 40 to 79 years of age recruited for participation in a population‐based study of male aging, the European Male Ageing Study (EMAS). N‐terminal propeptide of type I procollagen (PINP) and C‐terminal cross‐linked telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX‐I) serum levels were measured in all men. BMD at the calcaneus was estimated by quantitative ultrasound (QUS) in all men. Lumbar spine and total‐hip areal BMD (BMD_a) was measured by dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DXA) in a subsample of 620 men. Multiple OPG, RANK, and RANKL SNPs were associated with bone turnover markers. We also identified a number of SNPs associated with BMD, including rs2073618 in OPG and rs9594759 near RANKL. The minor allele of rs2073618 (C) was associated with higher levels of both PINP (β = 1.83, p = .004) and CTX‐I (β = 17.59, p = 4.74 × 10^?4), and lower lumbar spine BMD_a (β = ?0.02, p = .026). The minor allele of rs9594759 (C) was associated with lower PINP (β = ?1.84, p = .003) and CTX‐I (β = ?27.02, p = 6.06 × 10^?8) and higher ultrasound BMD at the calcaneus (β = 0.01, p = .037). Our findings suggest that genetic variation in the RANKL/RANK/OPG signaling pathway influences bone turnover and BMD in European men. © 2010 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research     

人参皂苷Rh2通过OPG/RANKL信号通路介导对老年大鼠骨量流失的保护作用

目的观察人参皂苷Rh2对老年大鼠骨强度和骨量的影响,并探索可能的机制。方法 30只雌性Sprague Dawley大鼠随机分为3组:对照组(Con,10只3月龄大鼠);模型组(Mod,10只24月龄老年大鼠)及老年大鼠+人参皂苷Rh2治疗组(Rszg,大鼠每天接受300 mg/kg人参皂苷Rh2治疗12周)。12周后取双侧股骨进行微型计算机断层扫描(Micro-CT)、组织病理切片、骨生物力学以及蛋白质印迹(WB)检测。结果 Mod组大鼠的骨密度(BMD)、骨显微结构和最大载荷和弹性模量等指标均明显低于Con组(P0.05)。人参皂苷Rh2治疗后骨密度、骨显微结构、最大载荷和弹性模量等指标均有明显改善,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。WB检测显示Mod组OPG和Runx2表达水平较Con组明显下调,而RANKL表达水平明显上调(P0.05)。Rszg组OPG和Runx2表达水平较Mod组明显上调,而RANKL表达水平显著下调。结论人参皂苷Rh2治疗可以显著改善老年大鼠股骨骨强度和骨量,而这种疗效可能通过OPG/RANKL信号通路来介导。     

Impaired bone resorption in cathepsin K-deficient mice is partially compensated for by enhanced osteoclastogenesis and increased expression of other proteases via an increased RANKL/OPG ratio

Previous reports indicate that mice deficient for cathepsin K (Ctsk), a key protease in osteoclastic bone resorption, develop osteopetrosis due to their inability to properly degrade organic bone matrix. Some features of the phenotype of Ctsk knockout mice, however, suggest the presence of mechanisms by which Ctsk-deficient mice compensate for the lack of cathepsin K. To study these mechanisms in detail, we generated Ctsk-deficient (Ctsk-/-) mice and analyzed them at the age of 2, 7, and 12 months using peripheral quantitative computed tomography, histomorphometry, resorption marker measurements, osteoclast and osteoblast differentiation cultures, and gene expression analyses. The present study verified the previously published osteopetrotic features of Ctsk-deficient mice. However, these changes did not exacerbate during aging indicating the absence of Ctsk to have its most severe effects during the rapid growth period. Resorption markers ICTP and CTX were decreased in the media of Ctsk-/- osteoclasts cultured on bone slices indicating impaired bone resorption. Ctsk-/- mice exhibited several mechanisms attempting to compensate for Ctsk deficiency. The number of osteoclasts in trabecular bone was significantly increased in Ctsk-/- mice compared to controls, as was the number of osteoclast precursors in bone marrow. The mRNA levels for receptor activator of nuclear factor (kappa)B ligand (RANKL) in Ctsk-/- bones were increased resulting in increased RANKL/OPG ratio favoring osteoclastogenesis. In addition, expression of mRNAs of osteoclastic enzymes (MMP-9, TRACP) and for osteoblastic proteases (MMP-13, MMP-14) were increased in Ctsk-/- mice compared to controls. Impaired osteoclastic bone resorption in Ctsk-/- mice results in activation of osteoblastic cells to produce increased amounts of other proteolytic enzymes and RANKL in vivo. We suggest that increased RANKL expression mediates enhanced osteoclastogenesis and increased protease expression by osteoclasts. These observations underline the important role of osteoblastic cells in regulation of osteoclast activity and bone turnover.     

Caloric restriction leads to high marrow adiposity and low bone mass in growing mice

The effects of caloric restriction (CR) on the skeleton are well studied in adult rodents and include lower cortical bone mass but higher trabecular bone volume. Much less is known about how CR affects bone mass in young, rapidly growing animals. This is an important problem because low caloric intake during skeletal acquisition in humans, as in anorexia nervosa, is associated with low bone mass, increased fracture risk, and osteoporosis in adulthood. To explore this question, we tested the effect of caloric restriction on bone mass and microarchitecture during rapid skeletal growth in young mice. At 3 weeks of age, we weaned male C57Bl/6J mice onto 30% caloric restriction (10% kcal/fat) or normal diet (10% kcal/fat). Outcomes at 6 (n = 4/group) and 12 weeks of age (n = 8/group) included body mass, femur length, serum leptin and insulin‐like growth factor 1 (IGF‐1) values, whole‐body bone mineral density (WBBMD, g/cm²), cortical and trabecular bone architecture at the midshaft and distal femur, bone formation and cellularity, and marrow fat measurement. Compared with the normal diet, CR mice had 52% and 88% lower serum leptin and 33% and 39% lower serum IGF‐1 at 6 and 12 weeks of age (p < .05 for all). CR mice were smaller, with lower bone mineral density, trabecular, and cortical bone properties. Bone‐formation indices were lower, whereas bone‐resorption indices were higher (p < .01 for all) in CR versus normal diet mice. Despite having lower percent of body fat, bone marrow adiposity was elevated dramatically in CR versus normal diet mice (p < .05). Thus we conclude that caloric restriction in young, growing mice is associated with impaired skeletal acquisition, low leptin and IGF‐1 levels, and high marrow adiposity. These results support the hypothesis that caloric restriction during rapid skeletal growth is deleterious to cortical and trabecular bone mass and architecture, in contrast to potential skeletal benefits of CR in aging animals. © 2010 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.     

Selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor prevents reduction of trabecular bone mass in collagen-induced arthritic mice in association with suppression of RANKL/OPG ratio and IL-6 mRNA expression in synovial tissues but not in bone marrow cells

We performed this study to clarify whether celecoxib, a selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor, prevents trabecular bone mass reduction by suppressing arthritis-related increase of bone resorption, and to discriminate differences in actions on bone among celecoxib, SC-58560 (a selective COX-1 inhibitor), and indomethacin. Eight-week-old DBA/1J male mice were divided into six groups as follows. Control untreated (Normal) and collagen-induced arthritic (CIA) mice were compared with four treatment groups: celecoxib was orally administered to CIA mice at doses of 0 (Vehicle), 16 (COX2L), and 75 (COX2H) mg/kg, in addition to two groups of mice treated with SC-58560 (COX1) or indomethacin (IND). Histomorphometry showed a significant decrease in tibial trabecular bone volume in arthritic mice, which was corrected by COX2H. The increased osteoclast surface and number in the Vehicle group were suppressed by COX2L, COX2H, and IND. The decreased bone formation rate in Vehicle was elevated by COX2H without statistical significance. A high ratio of mRNA expression of receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL)/osteoprotegerin (OPG) in Vehicle synovial tissue was suppressed by COX2L and COX2H. The increased expression of interleukin (IL)-6 mRNA in Vehicle was suppressed by COX2L, COX2H, and IND, although no difference in this expression was observed in bone marrow cells among all groups. In conclusion, in CIA mice, celecoxib suppresses arthritis-related increase in bone resorption at low and high doses and prevents trabecular bone mass reduction at high doses in association with suppression of osteoclast development in bone marrow through inhibition of RANKL/OPG ratio and IL-6 mRNA expression in inflammatory synovial tissue.     

从中医“虚”论治原发性骨质疏松症与OPG/RANK/RANKL信号通路的相关性

原发性骨质疏松症(primary osteoporosis,POP)是现代临床中常见的骨科疾病,其归属于中医学之"骨痿""骨痹""骨枯"等范畴。随着中医药事业的发展,中医学在POP的治疗中应用愈加广泛,且疗效显著,已受到学界的广泛认可。但遗憾的是,其缺乏现代研究理论依据的支撑。随着分子生物学的发展,OPG/RANK/RANKL信号通路的发现对中医学治疗此病具有重要意义。故笔者将从中医"虚"理论出发,并以中医学脏腑辨证理论为基础,借助现代分子生物学的研究成果OPG/RANK/RANKL信号通路,揭示中医治疗POP的OPG/RANK/RANKL信号通路表达机制,以期为中医学治疗POP提供科学理论依据。     

Imbalance of the osteoprotegerin/RANKL ratio in bone marrow microenvironment after allogeneic hemopoietic stem cell transplantation

BACKGROUND: Bone loss is a common complication after allogeneic stem cell transplantation. Osteoprotegerin (OPG) plays a critical role in bone remodeling by neutralizing the effect of receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappaB ligand (RANKL) on differentiation and activation of osteoclasts. We investigated OPG and RANKL in serum and marrow plasma in transplanted patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 36 patients and 36 controls, the relationships among bone mineral density, circulating OPG, RANKL, interferon-gamma, and interleukin-6 levels were investigated; in addition, OPG and RANKL were measured in marrow plasma and in conditioned medium of long-term cultures of marrow mesenchymal-derived osteogenic cells. RESULTS: Lumbar and femoral bone mineral density were lower in patients than in controls (P<0.01). Serum OPG (sOPG) and interferon-gamma were significantly higher in patients than in controls (P<0.05). Patients' interferon-gamma correlated with sOPG levels (r=0.4; P=0.03). Interleukin-6 did not differ between patients and controls. By contrast, OPG levels were lower in patients than in controls in marrow plasma (P<0.001) and in conditioned media after one (P=0.035) and three months (P=0.003) of culture of marrow mesenchymal-derived osteogenic cells. RANKL was similar in patients and controls. The OPG/RANKL ratio "in situ" was significantly lower in patients than in controls (P<0.05). There was no correlation between sOPG and marrow OPG, RANKL levels, densitometric values, and chronic graft-versus-host disease. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that after allogeneic stem cell transplantation: 1) sOPG bear no relationship with OPG in the bone marrow; 2) increased sOPG can be the result of its enhanced production in extra bone tissues triggered by inflammatory cytokines; 3) low bone marrow OPG levels may be partly related to the persistent quantitative and qualitative deficit of osteoblastic precursors; and 4) reduced OPG/RANKL ratio in bone microenvironment may increase bone remodeling by promoting bone resorption.     

Cobalt and chromium ions reduce human osteoblast-like cell activity in vitro, reduce the OPG to RANKL ratio, and induce oxidative stress

Metal‐on‐metal hip arthroplasty is associated with elevated levels of cobalt and chromium ions. The effects of cobalt and chromium ions on cell number, activity, expression of osteoprotegerin (OPG) and receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand (RANKL) and oxidative stress on human osteoblast‐like cells were addressed. Saos‐2 cells were supplemented with Co²⁺, Cr³⁺, or Co²⁺ + Cr³⁺ (1:2) at 0, 1, 10, and 100 µg/L and incubated for 24, 48, 72, and 96 h. Cell activity was assessed by MTT‐assay and cell number by Crystal Violet staining. RNA levels of OPG and RANKL were evaluated using real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Compared to controls Co²⁺ reduced cell numbers: at 10 µg/L by 17 ± 8% after 48 h and at 100 µg/L after 24 h by 35 ± 8%. Cr³⁺ decreased cell numbers at 10 µg/L after 48 and 72 h. Co²⁺ + Cr³⁺ combined at 1 µg/L lowered cell numbers after 24 and 96 h (17 ± 13, resp. 13 ± 4%). The 10 and 100 µg/L concentrations reduced cell numbers significantly after 24, 48, and 96 h. Cr³⁺ reduced osteoblast activity at 1, 10, and 100 µg/L at all incubation times. The strongest reduction (11 ± 1%) was seen at 100 µg/L after 96 h. The OPG/RANKL ratio was reduced after 72 h with almost all Co²⁺ and Cr³⁺ concentrations. After 96 h, glutathione, superoxide dismutase, and catalase levels were indicative for an oxidative stress response in all samples. In conclusion, cobalt and chromium ions reduce human osteoblast activity, reduce OPG/RANKL ratio and lead to oxidative stress. © 2011 Orthopaedic Research Society Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 30:740–747, 2012     

基于“脾主肉、肾主骨”理论探讨绝经后骨质疏松症的OPG/RANK/RANKL信号调控机制

中医理论传承"辨证论治"之道,强调人作为机体的整体性与统一性,肾主骨生髓为先天之本,脾主肌肉充四肢为后天之源,先后二天互资互生,共同维持人体正常的生理机能,但缺乏客观的分子生物学依据阐明其作用机理。OPG/RANK/RANKL信号转导系统的发现在骨代谢史上具有里程碑的意义,开创了中医药防治和研究绝经后骨质疏松症的新纪元,骨微观信息的改变就是从脾肾论治对骨代谢调控机制的效应表达。本文基于"脾主肉、肾主骨"理论,就绝经后骨质疏松症的病因病机及治法方药结合OPG/RANK/RANKL信号转导系统在骨代谢中的作用展开综述,旨在为绝经后骨质疏松症的中医药防治从分子生物学水平提供科学依据,以期更好地指导临床。