Osteocalcin-expressing endothelial progenitor cells and serum osteocalcin forms are independent biomarkers of coronary atherosclerotic disease severity in male and female patients

Abstract

Purpose Osteocalcin (OC), an osteoblast-derived regulator of metabolic processes, and circulating early endothelial progenitor cells (EPC, CD34 − /CD133 + /KDR +) expressing OC (OC +) are potential candidates linking bone metabolism and the vasculature and might be involved in vascular atherosclerotic calcification. This study aimed at assessing the association of circulating levels of different OC forms and of EPCs count with disease severity in patients with documented coronary atherosclerosis (CAD). Methods Patients (n = 59) undergoing coronary angiography were divided, according to stenosis severity, into (1) early coronary atherosclerosis (ECA) (n = 22), and (2) late coronary atherosclerosis (LCA) (n = 37). Total OC (TOC), carboxylated OC (cOC), undercarboxylated OC (unOC) were quantified by ELISA. EPC OC + count was assessed by flow cytometry. Results EPC OC + counts showed significant differences between ECA and LCA groups. unOC and unOC/TOC ratio were inversely correlated with EPC OC + count. A significant decrease in TOC and unOC plasma levels was associated with higher cardiovascular risk factors (CVRFs) number. EPC OC + count was correlated with LDL-C, total cholesterol, and triglycerides, with a greater significance in the LCA group. No association between the different forms of circulating OC (TOC, ucOC, cOC) and severity of CAD was found. Conclusion This study showed a significant association between EPCs (CD34 − /CD133 + /KDR + /OC +), CAD severity and CVRFs, suggesting an active role for EPC OC + in the development of CAD. An inverse correlation between TOC, ucOC, and number of CVRFs was observed, suggesting that OC, regardless of its carboxylation status, may be developed as a further cardiovascular risk biomarker.

Osteocalcin and Chinese visceral adiposity index are associated with the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and arterial stiffness in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus：a case control study

“…Low serum osteocalcin levels are associated with a higher occurrence of T2DM and its complications, as well as a higher rate of all-cause and cardiovascular death in T2DM [31,32]. The CVAI is the best obesity parameter for predicting the prevalence of diabetes and has the strongest relationship with the occurrence rate of CVD in T2DM [33,34].…”

Extrahepatic Vitamin K-Dependent Gla-Proteins–Potential Cardiometabolic Biomarkers

“…Based on the assumptions that endothelial progenitor cells expressing OC are able to activate calcification in vitro and in vivo [ 147 ], a cross-sectional study in a cohort with coronary artery atherosclerosis evaluated the role of different OC forms. The study revealed a significant association between the count of circulating early endothelial progenitor cells expressing OC, coronary atherosclerosis severity and CV risk factors such as total cholesterol (TC), LDL-C, and TG.…”

Osteocalcin and Chinese visceral adiposity index are associated with the risk of ASCVD and arterial stiffness in patients with T2DM

“…Association between osteocalcin and CVAI and ASCVD risk serum osteocalcin levels are associated with a higher occurrence of T2DM and its complications, as well as a higher rate of all-cause and cardiovascular death in T2DM [31,32]. The CVAI is the best obesity parameter for predicting the prevalence of diabetes and has the strongest relationship with the occurrence rate of CVD in T2DM [8,33].…”