Objective： To observe the effects of different concentrations of glucose on the expression of tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand （TRAIL）, osteoprotegerin （OPG）, and the ligand of osteoprotegerin （OPGL） in osteosarcoma MG63 cells, so as to assess the role of glucose in pathogenesis of diabetic osteoporosis. Methods： MG63 cells were incubated with glucose at the concentrations of 5.5,16.7,33.3 mmol/L for 24 h. The expression of TRAIL, OPG and OPGL mRNA were examined by RT-PCR. Expression and distribution of TRAIL in MG63 cells were investigated by immunohistochemical method. Results： The mRNA expression of TRAIL and OPGL in MG63 cells increased in the order of control group, 5.5,16.7,33.3 mmol/L glucose groups（ P〈 0.05）, and the expression of OPG mRNA decreased in the same order（P〈0.05）. TRAIL mRNA level in 33. 3 mmol/L glucose group was significantly higher than that in the control group [（1. 004±0. 070） vs （0. 740±0. 023）,P〈0.05] and the expression of TRAIL was stronger than that in the control group. Conclusion： High concentration of glucose can lead to increased expression of TRAIL and OPGL in osteoblasts and decreased expression of OPG, which may be one of the key pathogenetic factors of diabetic osteoporosis.[著者文摘]