RECEPTOR ACTIVATOR OF NUCLEAR FACTOR KAPPA-B LIGAND (RANKL) AND OSTEOPROTEGERIN (OPG) IN RADICULAR CYSTS, DENTIGEROUS CYSTS AND HEALTHY VOLUNTEERS

Radicular and dentigerous cysts are the two most common histological types of jaw cysts. Their growth is related to bone loss. The process of bone destruction takes place under the action of cytokines receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL) and osteoprotegerin (OPG). The objective of this study is to examine how the concentration of RANKL and OPG is changing in patients with both types of cysts and healthy volunteers. The study includes 15 patients with radicular cysts, 15 with dentigerous cysts and 30 healthy control volunteers. The study investigated serum concentration of sRANKL and OPG in patients and volunteers, as well as the expression of RANKL and OPG in the epithelial sac of the cysts. The results showed elevated sRANKL levels in patients with cysts compared to the healthy volunteers. Serum OPG levels in patients with radicular cysts were higher compared to those of the control group. RANKL in the epithelial sac of dentigerous cysts was higher compared to the epithelial sac of radicular cysts. To precisely specify the role of cytokines RANKL and OPG in the process of bone destruction in radicular and dentigerous cysts, further studies shall be performed.