Association between Serum Osteocalcin Levels and Metabolic Syndrome according to the Menopausal Status of Korean Women

Abstract

Background: Osteocalcin is known to regulate energy metabolism. Recently, metabolic syndrome (MetS) has been found to be associated with reduced levels of osteocalcin in men, as well as in postmenopausal women. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between serum osteocalcin and MetS in premenopausal women, compared with that in postmenopausal women. Methods: This cross-sectional study was based on 5,896 participants who completed a health screening examination. They were classified according to their menopausal status. Each group was subdivided into non-MetS and MetS groups according to the modified National Cholesterol Education Program-Adult Treatment Panel III criteria. Serum osteocalcin levels were measured using the electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. Results: Serum osteocalcin level was significantly lower in women with MetS than in those without MetS, after adjusting for confounders (14.12 ± 0.04 vs. 13.17 ± 0.13 [P = 0.004] in premenopausal women, and 20.34 ± 0.09 vs. 19.62 ± 0.21 [P < 0.001] in postmenopausal women), regardless of their menopausal status. Serum osteocalcin levels decreased correspondingly with an increasing number of MetS elements (P for trend < 0.001). Multiple regression analysis demonstrated that waist circumference (β = −0.085 [P < 0.001] and β = −0.137 [P < 0.001]) and hemoglobin A1c (β = −0.09 [P < 0.001] and β = −0.145 [P < 0.001]) were independent predictors of osteocalcin in premenopausal and postmenopausal women. Triglyceride levels were also independently associated with osteocalcin levels in premenopausal women (β = −0.004 [P < 0.013]). The odds ratio (OR) for MetS was significantly higher in the lowest quartile than in the highest quartile of serum osteocalcin levels after adjusting for age, alkaline phosphatase, uric acid, high sensitivity C-reactive protein, and body mass index in all women (OR, 2.00; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.49-2.68) as well as in premenopausal (OR, 2.23; 95% CI, 1.39-3.58) and postmenopausal (OR, 2.01; 95% CI, 1.26-3.23) subgroups. Conclusion: Lower serum osteocalcin concentrations were significantly associated with MetS in both premenopausal and postmenopausal women and were therefore independent of menopausal status.

Osteocalcin levels decrease during the treatment of an acute depressive episode

“…Subsequently, body mass index (BMI) and percentage body fat show a negative correlation with osteocalcin levels ( 10 ). Metabolic syndrome and related variables (waist circumference, blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose, HbA1c, uric acid, alkaline phosphatase, C-reactive protein levels) are associated with decreased levels of osteocalcin independently of postmenopausal status ( 11 ).…”

Exercise ameliorates anxious behavior and promotes neuroprotection through osteocalcin in VCD‐induced menopausal mice

“…Serum osteocalcin is negatively associated with the risk of metabolic disorders, fasting blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in peri‐ and postmenopausal women 43–45 . OC −/− mice showed significant anxiety and depression‐like behaviors, which were significantly favored following peripheral delivery of osteocalcin 11 .…”

Selected Parameters of Bone Turnover in Neuroendocrine Tumors—A Potential Clinical Use?

“…Osteocalcin is a non-collagen protein that is responsible not only for bone mineralization but also for systemic glucose and energy metabolism [13,14]. According to Diemar et al, OST concentrations decrease with age and are significantly higher in females [15].…”