Contents
Osteocalcin is the most important non-collagen protein in bone tissue. It is produced by osteoblasts and odontoblasts. It is a sensitive marker of bone turnover in the course of metabolic bone diseases. It is a marker of bone formation in postmenopausal women and in renal osteodystrophy.
What is Osteocalcin?
Osteocalcin is a non-collagen protein, which consists of 49 amino acids, it forms bone tissue and dentin. Osteocalcin is produced by osteobolasts, chondrocytes and odontoblasts. In addition to influencing bone metabolism and mineralization, protein also stimulates the secretion of insulin and adiponectin. The main function of this protein, however, remains bone formation and the stimulation of calcium ion homeostasis. There are also ongoing studies on the effects of osteocalcin on male fertility, as osteocalcin has been shown to increase testosterone production. If this thesis is confirmed in the future, it would be possible to use osteocalcin in the treatment of male infertility. In diagnostics, osteocalcin is used as a sensitive marker of bone turnover and bone formation. Too much of this protein occurs in bone diseases, e.g. Paget’s disease, bone cancer, osteoporosis.
When do we do the osteocalcin test?
The indications for an osteocalcin test are listed below.
1. Diagnosis and monitoring of the treatment of osteoporosis (e.g. in postmenopausal women),
2. Metabolic diseases of bone tissue (Paget’s disease, adynamic bone disease).
3. Increased bone turnover (hyperparathyroidism, hypercalcemia, hyperthyroidism).
4. Skeletal disorders (pathological fractures, skeletal deformities, calcium-phosphate disturbances).
5. Monitoring of treatment in people with malignant neoplasms.
Osteocalcin – the course of the study
Material for the study of osteocalcin: serum.
Preparation for the test: on an empty stomach (at least 8 hours).
The course of the study of osteocalcin: one-time blood sampling from a vein in the arm.
Time to wait for the result: 1 Day.
Standard: 0,862-4,31 nmol/l (5-25 µg/l).
Notes: About 15% of the total amount of osteocalcin in serum is not incorporated into the bone tissue. The test is sometimes repeated because not always one abnormal result indicates a patient’s disease.
Osteocalcin – Interpretation of Results
High levels of osteocalcin in the blood suggest the presence of:
- osteoporosis,
- Pageta’s disease,
- primary bone tumor,
- hyperparathyroidism,
- rickets,
- tumor metastases to the bones,
- osteomalacia.
In turn, a reduced concentration of this protein may mean:
- liver failure
- Hypothyroidism,
- hypoparathyroidism