This study aims to explore the correlation of serum levels of pentosidine, receptor for advanced glycation end-product (RAGE) and soluble receptor for advanced glycation end-product (sRAGE) in elderly patients with hip fractures with their bone mass density (BMD).

A retrospective analysis was conducted for 66 elderly patients with hip fractures hospitalized in our Department of Orthopedics between January 2018 and June 2019. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was used to measure the BMDs of the 2nd-4th lumbar; enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was adopted to determine the levels of serum pentosidine, RAGE and sRAGE, and automatic biochemical analyzer was utilized to analyze the serum levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b (TRACP5b), osteocalcin (OC), calcium (Ca), and substance P (P). Based on their BMDs, all patients were divided into a normal bone mass group, an osteopenia group, and an osteoporosis group.

Compared with the normal bone mass group, the levels of serum pentosidine and RAGE in osteopenia group and osteoporosis group were significantly higher (Analysis of variance among the three groups of serum pentosidine F=10.779, P=0.000. There were significant differences between the two groups (P=0.116, P=0.006, P=0.000). Analysis of variance among the three groups of serum pentosidine (F=11.331, P=0.000). There were significant differences between the two groups (P=0.057, P=0.010, P=0.000). The levels of sRAGE in osteopenia group and osteoporosis group were significantly lower (Analysis of variance among the three groups of serum sRAGE (F=14.211, P=0.000). There were significant differences between the two groups (P=0.046, P=0.003, P=0.000). There was a significant negative correlation between serum pentosidine level and lumbar BMD (r=-0.575, P=0.000), a significant negative correlation between serum RAGE level and lumbar BMD (r=-0.446, P=0.000), and a significant positive correlation between serum sRAGE level and lumbar BMD (r=0.618, P=0.000).

There is a significant correlation between serum pentosidine, RAGE, sRAGE levels and lumbar BMD, which can be used as a reference parameter for the diagnosis of osteoporosis and is worthy of clinical application.