Objective: To compare and study the bone metabolism characteristics of forelimb deformities in WHBE rabbits by using OPG (osteoprotegerin)/RANK (receptor activator of NF-κB)/RANKL (receptor activator of NF-κB ligand) system.
Method: Take 10 WHBE rabbits, Japanese big-eared white rabbits, and forelimb malformation WHBE rabbits, and divide them into 3 groups, labeled HWR (healthy WHBE rabbit), HJR (healthy Japanese rabbit) and FMWR (forelimb malformation WHBE rabbit) groups. The X-ray film taken by X-ray machine was used to observe the shape of the radius of the forelimb of each group of rabbits and determine the average gray value; the microscopic morphology of the forelimb bone was analyzed by HE staining of the bone tissue paraffin section; the fluorescence quantitative PCR method was used to detect OPG RANKL gene is expressed in the liver; enzyme-linked immunoassay and immunohistochemistry were used to determine the expression of OPG/RANK/RANKL protein in serum and bone tissue.
Results: Compared with HWR and HJR groups, the ulna and radius of the forelimbs of the FMWR group were abnormally curved, and the bone cortex was significantly thinner. The gray value shown by X-rays was significantly lower than that of the HWR group (P<0.05). FMWR group rabbits had liver RANKL gene expression level and RANKL/OPG mRNA ratio (P<0.01), serum RANK, RANKL protein content and RANKL/OPG ratio (P<0.05, P<0.01), bone tissue RANKL protein expression positive index and The RANKL/OPG ratio (P<0.05, P<0.01) and other indicators were significantly higher than the HWR group and HJR group. Compared with the HJR group, the expression levels of OPG and RANKL genes in the liver of the HWR group were significantly increased (P<0.05, P<0.01).
Conclusion: WHBE rabbits with forelimb deformity have decreased bone quality and damaged bone tissue. The ratio of RANKL/OPG was significantly increased. Bone metabolism disorder is the main cause of bone deformity. The difference in the expression level of RANKL gene with Japanese white rabbits may be the inducement of WHBE rabbits' susceptibility to forelimb deformities.