RANKL/RANK/OPG Pathway: A Mechanism Involved in Exercise-Induced Bone Remodeling

Abstract

Bones as an alive organ consist of about 70% mineral and 30% organic component. About 200 million people are suffering from osteopenia and osteoporosis around the world. There are multiple ways of protecting bone from endogenous and exogenous risk factors. Planned physical activity is another useful way for protecting bone health. It has been investigated that arranged exercise would effectively regulate bone metabolism. Until now, a number of systems have discovered how exercise could help bone health. Previous studies reported different mechanisms of the effect of exercise on bone health by modulation of bone remodeling. However, the regulation of RANKL/RANK/OPG pathway in exercise and physical performance as one of the most important remodeling systems is not considered comprehensive in previous evidence. Therefore, the aim of this review is to clarify exercise influence on bone modeling and remodeling, with a concentration on its role in regulating RANKL/RANK/OPG pathway.

The Beneficial Effect of Boswellic Acid on Bone Metabolism and Possible Mechanisms of Action in Experimental Osteoporosis

“…Extensive studies has been carried out in the past few decades to understand osteoblast differentiation and bone formation, and the drug discovery research continued their effort to develop new therapeutic agents that can prevent and/or treat bone diseases [ 4 , 5 , 6 ]. Further, previous studies suggested that metabolic dysfunction and osteoporosis share common pathways, which include the regulation of calcium homeostasis, receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) ligand (RANKL), osteoprotegerin, and Wnt-β-catenin signaling pathways [ 7 ]. Osteoblasts synthesize RANKL, which is a molecule from the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) superfamily, necessary for osteoclast formation as well as function.…”

Therapeutic effect of Shinkiwhan, herbal medicine, regulates OPG/RANKL/RANK system on ovariectomy-induced bone loss rat

“…Exercise has a good effect on maintaining overall vitality, such as heart circulation and psychological function. In particular, active people have a 50% reduction of the risk of osteophytes [ 26 ]. According to sports science reports, it is known that aerobics and weightlifting are effective in increasing the BMD of the spine or osteophytes [ 27 ].…”

Short and medium-term effects of a multicomponent physical exercise program with a Mediterranean diet on bone mineral density, gait, balance, and fall risk for patients with Alzheimer disease

“…Exercise can contribute to mitigate cognitive decline and AD because among some of its effects are to improve cardiovascular health and increase muscle mass, reduce oxidative stress and inflammation, and stimulate hippocampal plasticity, [ 2 , 40 ] also, taking into account the possible effect on the appearance or delay chronic diseases, [ 2 , 41 ] and thus, improve their quality of life and significantly reducing the global burden of AD representing a main nonpharmacological lifestyle intervention. [ 2 , 42 , 43 ]…”

“…So, we can consider exercise as a useful tool to improve functional capacities as mobility, gait, balance and strength, executive functions, and thus decrease falls. [ 7 , 24 , 36 , 52 – 58 ] Moreover, we must consider that exercise or planned physical activity is a helpful plan for maintaining optimal bone health regulating bone metabolism, [ 41 , 59 , 60 ] although its mechanism to improve bone health is not exactly clear yet. However, it has been accepted that increasing muscle mass and mechanical stress in bones results in increasing or preventing the loss of BMD.…”

“…However, it has been accepted that increasing muscle mass and mechanical stress in bones results in increasing or preventing the loss of BMD. [ 41 , 61 , 62 ] Evidence has shown that regular exercise with moderate intensity would decrease bone resorption and increase bone mass in both healthy and pathologic subjects. [ 63 ]…”