Circulating osteocalcin concentrations are associated with parameters of liver fat infiltration and increase in parallel to decreased liver enzymes after weight loss

Abstract

In summary, our findings suggest a bone-liver axis in which osteocalcin might be the active regulator.

Associations Between Liver Function, Bone Turnover Biomarkers and Adipokines in Older Patients With Hip Fracture

“…Consistent with our findings, an inverse association of serum OC concentrations with ALT has been demonstrated in non-obese and obese subjects [13] and in patients with NAFLD [47,48], independent of insulin resistance and the metabolic syndrome [47].…”

“…2) Osteopenia/ osteoporosis (hepatic osteodystrophy) is present in 20-50% of patients with chronic liver disease [6][7][8][9][10]. 3) Osteocalcin (OC), an osteoblast-derived hormone, is recognized as a critical determinant of energy and glucose homeostasis [11][12][13][14][15][16]. 4) Dysregulation and dysfunction of adipokines, adipose tissue-derived hormones, in particular, adiponectin, leptin and resistin, which have receptors expressed in both hepatocytes and bone cells and control a vast diversity of physiological functions, are involved in initiation and progression of many diseases including liver and bone (osteoporosis) disorders [17][18][19][20][21][22][23].…”

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and decreased bone mineral density: is there a link?

“…Emerging evidence also suggests that there is a significant, graded relationship between decreased osteocalcin levels, and the presence and severity of NAFLD [40][41][42].…”

Osteocalcin Protects Against Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis in a Mouse Model of Metabolic Syndrome

“…Clinical results indicate that circulating osteocalcin negatively correlates with plasma levels of the liver injury markers ALT and AST, whereas subjects with the greatest osteocalcin increases during weight loss also reveal the greatest ALT decreases (11). Serum osteocalcin levels in patients with NAFLD are also lower than healthy controls, inversely associated with ALT, AST, homeostatic model assessment-insulin resistance, and the only independent predictor of hepatocyte ballooning degeneration (12).…”

“…Patients with liver cirrhosis have decreased serum levels of osteocalcin (9,10), which negatively correlates with liver enzymes alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), inflammatory markers of liver disease (11). In fact, serum osteocalcin was found to be the only independent predictor of hepatocyte ballooning in patients with NA-FLD (12).…”