TNFSF11 and diabetes mellitus: As indicated in Figure 11, the expression of OPG protein and RUNX 2 protein were obviously lower in the DM group than those in the NC group (p < 0.01), but they were markedly increased after 8 weeks of CP or MET interventions (p < 0.05 vs. DM); RANKL protein was at a high level in the DM group (p < 0.