A successful treatment of dental implant needs a good jaw bone support, which depends on healthy bone metabolism. Bone metabolism can be affected by Diabetes Mellitus (DM). It may trigger various complications, including osteoporosis. Molecular triads consisting of Receptor Activator of NF-kappaB (RANK), Activator of nF-κB Ligand (RANKL), and osteoprotegerin (OPG), have an important role in the formation, function, and osteoclast survival. In this study, molecular triads were observed on mandible and femur bones in type 2 DM Wistar rats. The aim of this study was to observe the molecular triad RANK / RANKL / OPG expressions in type 2 DM Wistar rats. This laboratory research used 18 male Wistar rats divided into three groups: nondiabetic group (control), uncontrolled DM injected with single dose of Streptozotocin (STZ), and controlled DM treated with Metformin. On day 20, the mandible and femur were collected and specimen processing was carried out. The results of RANK / RANKL / OPG expressions were obtained from immunohistochemical staining. In both mandible and femur groups, RANK, RANKL, OPG expressions showed no difference between the control and uncontrolled DM groups. RANKL / OPG ratio in uncontrolled DM was higher than that in the control group. RANK expression was lower in uncontrolled DM group compared with controlled DM, and the RANKL expression in uncontrolled DM group was higher than that in the controlled DM group. RANKL / OPG ratio was lower in the controlled DM group. The study suggested that DM affects resorptive activity in mandible and femur bones which can be observed via RANK/RANKL/OPG.
