Association of Osteoprotegrin with Diabetes Complications and Bone

Osteoprotegerin (OPG) is a soluble glycoprotein, mainly involved in bone metabolism, but it is also found in various other tissues like vascular smooth muscle cells. OPG has been implicated in various inflammations and has additionally been linked to diabetes mellitus, silent myocardial ischemia, acute myocardial infarction and left ventricular dysfunction. Osteoprotegerin, a glycoprotein belonging to the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily, was originally discovered as an inhibitor of bone resorption. This inhibition is mediated through osteoprotegerin's binding and neutralization of the receptor activator of nuclear factor- B ligand (RANKL), a strong inducer of osteoclast differentiation.