Recent research into periodontal disease pathology focuses on the role of receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappaB ligand (RANKL) and osteoprotegerin (OPG) in periodontal bone destruction processes. RANKL regulates the differentiation of osteoclast by binding to its specific receptor RANK, while OPG inhibits the differentiation of osteoclasts by binding RANKL and therefore preventing RANKL to bind RANK. The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of Porphyromonas gingivalis lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) on RANKL and OPG expression and release in periodontal ligament (PDL) cells. Human PDL cells were stimulated for 48 h with purified P. gingivalis LPS and IL-6. OPG and sRANKL release were assessed by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique. OPG and RANKL expression was quantitatively measured by using the real-time PCR technique. Whereas P. gingivalis LPS induced sRANKL release, expression was only slightly increased, IL-6 did not show an effect on RANKL expression or release. In conclusion the data demonstrate that stimulation of PDL cells with P. gingivalis LPS leads to an increased release of sRANKL, rather than increased RANKL expression. Through this action, P. gingivalis LPS may exert its biological effect on osteoclast formation and bone resorption.