The effect of atorvastatin on the expression of OPG mRNA and RANKL mRNA of osteoblasts in vitro

Objective: To observe the effect of atorvastatin on the expression o f osteoprotegerin (OPG) mRNA and Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor-kB Ligand (RANKL) mRNA of osteoblasts derived from mice bone marrow stromal cells. Methods : Osteoblasts derived from mice femurs bone marrow stromal cells of were culture d without or with 10-6-10-8 Matorvastatin medium in subculture. After 7 days, th e expressions of OPG mRNA and RANKL mRNA were obtained with semi-quantative RT-P CR. Results: Semi-quantative RT-PCR examination revealed OPG mRNA expression in each group after 7 days subculture. Atorvastatin promoted OPG mRNA expression si gnificantly in 10-6 mol/L groups and 10-7 mol/L groups, compared with the contro l group (P 0.05). Atorvastatin inhibited osteoblasts RANKL mRNA expression in a dose-dependent manner, this effect was significantly in 10-6 mol/L group and 1 0-7 mol/L group, compared with the control group (P 0.05). Conclusion: Atorvas tatin promotes bone stromal derived osteoblasts OPG expression, while it inhibit s RANKL expression in the same cells.