Abstract
Background:
Osteocalcin (OC) has recently been described to be involved in the regulation of glucose
and energy metabolism. We aimed to evaluate whether or not OC serum levels were related
to parameters of overweight and serum adipokine levels of healthy children and adolescents
in dependence on gender and pubertal stage.
Methods:
In a cross sectional study (Leipzig Schoolchildren Project) 497 healthy, caucasian
children and adolescents of all pubertal stages were included. We measured anthropometric
data height, weight, fat mass, waist-to-hip ratio, pubertal development and performed
biochemical analyses of osteocalcin, leptin, adiponectin and resistin serum levels
by immunoassay.
Results:
OC serum levels were associated with pubertal development achieving peak values at
Tanner stage 3. There was no significant association of OC serum levels with overweight
and obesity as measured by BMI and WHR. In addition, OC demonstrated no significant
association with serum levels of leptin and adiponectin but a negative association
with resistin in both genders independent of pubertal stages (r= − 0.329, p<0.0001).
Conclusion:
We conclude that there is no major relationship between OC and metabolism, but we
can not exclude minor relations between OC and metabolism. The negative relationship
with serum resistin levels might rather point to a link between OC and inflammatory
states.
Key words
osteocalcin - children - overweight - adipokines - leptin - adiponectin
