FIGURE 5.
Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) modulates gene expression of mediator molecules in osteoclast–osteoblast communication. Relative mRNA expression of (A) TNFSF11 (RANKL) and (B) TNFRSF11B (OPG) after 14 days of osteoblast differentiation in absence or presence of VIP 10−8 M was determined by real‐time PCR. (C) Receptor activator of nuclear factor‐κB ligand/osteoprotegerin (RANKL/OPG) ratio of gene expression values. Results are expressed as relative mRNA expression (relative to GAPDH levels) and referenced to the control group. The means ± SEM of triplicate determinations of four independent experiments are shown, t test was performed (*p < 0.05; ***p < 0.001).