Contents
Osteocalcin is the main non-collagen protein found in human bone tissue. It takes part in the combination of calcium and hydroxyapatites, i.e. in the creation of new bone tissue.
Osteocalcin is synthesized by osteoblasts and odontoblasts – bone tissue cells. During the formation of bone tissue, most of the osteocalcin is part of the extracellular matrix of the bone, and a part (approximately from 10 to 30%) is released into the blood, where it can be determined and measured. During bone resorption under the influence of osteoclasts, osteocalcin is released from the bone matrix and enters the bloodstream as non-immune fragments. They are excreted by the kidneys as gamma-carboxyglutamic acid metabolites. That is why the level of osteocalcin in the blood depends, among other things, on the functional state of the kidneys.
When analyzed, this component can indicate both the normal process of the state of the bones, and changes in their state. The synthesis of osteocalcin depends on the active vitamin D – Calcitriol, vitamins C and K. The level of osteocalcin determined in the blood will mainly reflect the new synthesis of this protein, since it has a short half-life.
Analysis procedure
A blood test for the content of osteocalcin is carried out only in the morning, on an empty stomach. Before taking the material the day before, doctors advise not to eat a lot of food so as not to overload the stomach. Without restriction, only water is allowed to drink. On the day of the analysis, it is forbidden to eat, since the interval between the last meal and the study should be at least 8 hours.
During the procedure, some venous blood is taken from the patient. Then it is sent for research. This procedure is prescribed by the attending physician, who is also involved in deciphering the materials. You should not try to analyze the results yourself, as they depend on many external factors. If necessary, before taking the tests, the doctor may prescribe other studies: ultrasound, X-ray or fluorography.
Indication for the study
Doctors prescribe a blood test for osteocalcin to patients to diagnose the following processes and conditions:
- wives during menopause for early detection of osteoporosis, as well as during hormone replacement therapy;
- to assess the risk of developing osteoporosis and control bone loss;
- with suspicion of rickets in young children;
- patients with growth hormone deficiency;
- patients with hypercortisolism during prednisolone therapy;
- patients with impaired renal function;
- patients with pathologies of the endocrine system, in particular with metabolic disorders;
- children who suffer from rickets;
- to evaluate the effectiveness of therapy aimed at restoring bone mass.
In this case, doctors must evaluate how effective the treatment is. For corticosteroid therapy, this procedure allows you to determine the presence of side effects.
In what cases can osteocalcin in the blood be impaired?
The amount of osteocalcin in the blood depends on various factors or diseases. For example, if it is elevated, then the doctor may testify to:
- osteoporosis and osteomalacia;
- in women with menopause, postmenopausal osteoporosis;
- about rapid growth during puberty;
- primary and secondary hyperparathyroidism;
- diffuse toxic goiter;
- about Paget’s disease;
- tumors or bone metastases.
It is worth noting that before the analysis it is necessary to adhere to all the advice of doctors. Several factors can affect the final result, including a broken bone in the current year, vitamin D intake, insufficient physical activity or, conversely, increased physical activity.
In the event that the level of osteocalcin in the blood is reduced, this may indicate:
- about rickets in children;
- about Itsenko-Cushing’s disease or syndrome;
- hypoparathyroidism;
- cirrhosis of the liver;
- during therapy with glucocorticoid hormonal drugs.
Also, its decline may be against the background of a woman’s pregnancy.
It should be noted that the doctor is engaged in decoding, since the level of osteocalcin in the blood changes from day to day. There are times when, for an accurate diagnosis, the doctor may prescribe not one analysis, but a series of studies to make an accurate diagnosis. Osteocalcin, measured in dynamics, is predictive of the progression of bone disease.
Conclusion
If the result of the tests turned out to be far from comforting, then some changes are taking place in the body. The level of osteocalcin in the blood is a reflection of the metabolic activity of bone tissue osteoblasts, that is, it is the result of new synthesis, and not its release during bone resorption. However, considering that at high levels of osteocalcin, high bone resorption is also determined, it can be assumed that it is also involved in the process of resorption. That. osteocalcin is an indicator of the level of bone metabolism in general.