What Is Osteocalcin?

Osteocalcin is the most abundant non-collagenous protein hormone in bone and is produced exclusively by osteoblasts, the cells that build bones. Osteocalcin binds calcium in the bones, working to maintain and regenerate bone tissue.^[1] As a kind of hormone, it’s functions also extends to the regulation of whole body metabolism, reproduction, cognition and can be deposited into bone or released into circulation.^[2] The presence of 3 vitamin K-dependent γ carboxyglutamic acid residues is critical for osteocalcin’s structure, which appears to regulate the maturation of bone mineral.^[3]

Functions of Osteocalcin

Since osteocalcin is also a kind of hormone, after it releasing into the blood, it can:

 ·Give bones their strength and flexibility*^[4]

·Increases the production of insulin by the pancreas and adjusts blood glucose levels by synthesizing with insulin^[5]

·May improves brain function ^[6]

·Increases muscle strength by increasing it's sensitivity to insulin^[7]

·Increases the metabolism of lipid ^[8]

·Stimulates testosterone production by increasing it's sensitivity to insulin^[5]

*For this process to occur, osteocalcin first needs to be activated by vitamin K2 

The Health Conditions That May Leads by Changing Levels of Osteocalcin

Low level of osteocalcin

1）Insulin Resistance and Diabetes

2）Hardening of the Arteries (Atherosclerosis)

3）Heart Disease

4）Metabolic Syndrome

5）Obesity

6）Fatty Liver

High level of osteocalcin

1）Osteoporosis

2）Diabetes in Pregnancy

3）Breast Density

4）Anemia

Getein’s Care for Osteocalcin Testing

Osteocalcin Fast Test Kit（Immunofluorescence Assay）

MAGICL Osteocalcin (CLIA)

[1] What Is Osteocalcin? Definition, Function & Health Effects. https://labs.selfdecode.com/blog/osteocalcin/

[2] Zoch ML, Clemens TL, Riddle RC. New insights into the biology of osteocalcin. Bone. 2016 Jan

[3] Gundberg CM, Lian JB, Booth SL. Vitamin K-dependent carboxylation of osteocalcin: friend or foe? Adv Nutr. 2012 Mar 1;3(2):149-57. 

[4] Maresz K. Proper Calcium Use: Vitamin K2 as a Promoter of Bone and Cardiovascular Health. Integr Med (Encinitas). 2015 Feb

[5] Karsenty G, Oury F. Regulation of male fertility by the bone-derived hormone osteocalcin. Mol Cell Endocrinol. 2014 Jan 25

[6] Zoch ML, Clemens TL, Riddle RC. New insights into the biology of osteocalcin. Bone. 2016 Jan

[7] Levinger I, Scott D, Nicholson GC, Stuart AL, Duque G, McCorquodale T, Herrmann M, Ebeling PR, Sanders KM. Undercarboxylated osteocalcin, muscle strength and indices of bone health in older women. Bone. 2014 Jul

[8] Otani T, Mizokami A, Kawakubo-Yasukochi T, Takeuchi H, Inai T, Hirata M. The roles of osteocalcin in lipid metabolism in adipose tissue and liver. Adv Biol Regul. 2020 Dec