OBJECTIVES: To study the level of serum vitamin K₂ (VitK₂) and its association with bone metabolism markers osteocalcin (OC), type I procollagen amino-terminal peptide (PINP), and type I collagen carboxy-terminal peptide (CTX) in children. METHODS: A prospective analysis was performed on 1 732 children who underwent routine physical examination from October 2020 to October 2021. The serum levels of VitK₂ and 25-hydroxy vitamin D [25(OH)D] were measured. According to age, they were divided into four groups: <1 year, 1-3 years group, >3-6 years group, and >6-14 years. A total of 309 children with 25(OH)D≥50 nmol/L were screened out, and serum levels of OC, PINP, and CTX were measured to investigate the correlation of the serum levels of OC, PINP, and CTX with serum VitK₂ levels in different age groups. RESULTS: The prevalence rate of serum VitK₂ deficiency was 52.31% (906/1 732). The VitK₂ deficiency group had higher prevalence rates of overweight/obesity and growth pain (≥3 years of age) than the normal VitK₂ group (P<0.05). There were differences in the prevalence rate of serum VitK₂ deficiency (P<0.0083) and the serum level of VitK₂ (P<0.05) between the 1-3 years group and the >6-14 years group. The <1 year group had a higher serum level of CTX and a lower serum level of PINP than the >3-6 years group and the >6-14 years group (P<0.05). The <1 year group had a lower serum level of OC than the >6-14 years group (P<0.05). Serum VitK₂ level was positively correlated with OC level (r_s=0.347, P<0.01), and CTX level was negatively correlated with PINP level (r_s=-0.317, P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS Serum VitK₂ deficiency may be associated with overweight/obesity. Serum VitK₂ may affect the level of OC and even bone health.
Child ; Humans ; Infant ; Biomarkers/metabolism* ; Collagen Type I/metabolism* ; Obesity/complications* ; Osteocalcin/metabolism* ; Overweight/complications* ; Peptide Fragments/metabolism* ; Peptides/metabolism* ; Procollagen/metabolism* ; Vitamin K/blood* ; Child, Preschool ; Adolescent ; Bone and Bones/metabolism*

PURPOSE: Bone plays a role in glucose metabolism through the release of uncarboxylated osteocalcin into the systemic circulation. The identified novel roles for osteocalcin include increasing insulin secretion and sensitivity, energy expenditure, reduction of fat mass, and mitochondrial proliferation and functional enhancement. This study aimed to determine serum osteocalcin levels in overweight children and to investigate the relationships of osteocalcin with glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity. METHODS: After overnight fasting, serum osteocalcin levels were measured in overweight (n=50) children between 6.0 and 12.9 years of age and nonoverweight controls (n=60). Height, weight, fasting serum glucose, insulin, alkaline phosphatase, total cholesterol, and 25 hydroxy vitamin D₃ (25(OH)VitD₃) were also measured in all subjects. RESULTS: There were significant differences in serum osteocalcin levels between the overweight and control groups (64.00±20.44 vs. 89.56±28.63, P<0.001). Serum osteocalcin levels were inversely correlated with body mass index (BMI) (r=-0.283, P=0.003), weight standard deviation score (SDS) (r=-0.222, P=0.020), BMI SDS (r=-0.297, P=0.002), insulin (r=-0.313, P=0.001), and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index (r=-0.268, P=0.005). In the subsequent multiple regression analyses, BMI, HOMA-IR, and age were determined to be independent predicting factors for serum osteocalcin. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings showed associations of serum osteocalcin with glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity in overweight children, but we could not establish a causal relationship.
Alkaline Phosphatase ; Blood Glucose ; Body Mass Index ; Child ; Cholesterol ; Energy Metabolism ; Fasting ; Glucose ; Homeostasis ; Humans ; Insulin ; Insulin Resistance ; Metabolism ; Osteocalcin ; Overweight ; Vitamins

To investigate the effects of Danshensu on bone formation in ovariectomized rats.Thirty female SD rats were randomly divided into three groups with 10 rats in each:blank control group, model control group and Danshensu group. The osteoporosis model was induced by bilateral ovariectomy and rats in Danshensu group were fed with Danshensu 12.5 mg·kg·dby gavage after ostroporosis model induced. All animals were sacrificed after 90 days. The bone mineral density (BMD) of the whole body, femur and lumbar vertebra was measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. The biomechanical properties of femur were measured by AG-IS mechanical universal testing machine. Serum osteocalcin and bone alkaline phosphates (BALP) levels were measured by ELISA. The number of osteoblasts of proximal femoral metaphysis was counted with light microscopy after HE staining.Compared with blank control group, BMD, biomechanical properties of femur, serum osteocalcin and BALP levels and the number of osteoblasts were decreased in model control group (<0.05 or<0.01). While compared with model control group, BMDs of the whole body, femur and lumbar vertebra, the elastic modulus, maximum load, yield strength, breaking point load of femur, the serum levels of osteocalcin and BALP, and the number of osteoblasts were significantly improved in Danshensu group (<0.05 or<0.01).Danshensu can improve bone quality by increasing bone density, improving biomechanical properties, promoting the expression of osteogenesis-related factors, and increasing the number of osteoblasts.
Alkaline Phosphatase ; blood ; drug effects ; Animals ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; drug effects ; Bone Density ; drug effects ; Cell Count ; Female ; Femur ; anatomy & histology ; cytology ; drug effects ; Lactates ; pharmacology ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; anatomy & histology ; drug effects ; Osteoblasts ; drug effects ; Osteocalcin ; blood ; drug effects ; Osteogenesis ; drug effects ; Osteoporosis ; drug therapy ; Ovariectomy ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

BACKGROUND: To determine the associations between serum osteocalcin level and insulin resistance, coronary atherosclerosis by using dual-source coronary computed tomography angiography. METHODS: A total of 98 subjects (24 men and 74 women) were selected for this retrospective cross-sectional study who voluntarily visited a health examination center for routine health check-up including the blood test for serum osteocalcin level and coronary computed tomography angiography. Multiple regression analysis was used to determine which variables were independently related to osteocalcin levels and coronary atherosclerosis. RESULTS: Stepwise multiple regression analysis adjusted for age, sex, menopausal status, body mass index, serum alkaline phosphatase, serum calcium and phosphate showed that osteocalcin negatively correlated with serum glucose (β=-0.145, P=0.001) and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index (β=-1.794, P=0.027) independently. The age, serum glucose, smoking status but not osteocalcin level were independent risk factors for coronary atherosclerosis by use of multiple logistic regression analysis after controlling for other variables. CONCLUSIONS: Serum osteocalcin level was inversely associated with fasting glucose level and insulin resistance measured by HOMA-IR, suggesting that osteocalcin is important for glucose metabolism. However, in this study, no significant difference was observed in the serum osteocalcin level according to the presence of coronary atherosclerotic plaques.
Alkaline Phosphatase ; Angiography ; Blood Glucose ; Body Mass Index ; Calcium ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Artery Disease* ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Fasting ; Glucose ; Hematologic Tests ; Homeostasis ; Humans ; Insulin Resistance* ; Insulin* ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Metabolism ; Osteocalcin* ; Plaque, Atherosclerotic ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Smoke ; Smoking

OBJECTIVE: Serum parameters of calcium homeostasis were measured based on previously published evidence linking osteoporotic fractures and/or bone/mineral loss with antipsychotics. METHODS: Prospective, four-week, time-series trial was conducted and study population consisted of patients of both genders, aged 35-85 years, admitted within the routine practice, with acute psychotic symptoms, to whom an antipsychotic drug was either introduced or substituted. Serial measurements of serum calcium, phosphorous, magnesium, 25(OH)D, parathyroid hormone, calcitonin, osteocalcin and C-telopeptide were made from patient venous blood samples. RESULTS: Calcium serum concentrations significantly decreased from baseline to the fourth week (2.42+/-0.12 vs. 2.33+/-0.16 mmol/L, p=0.022, n=25). The mean of all calcemia changes from the baseline was -2.6+/-5.7% (-24.1 to 7.7) with more decreases than increases (78 vs. 49, p=0.010) and more patents having negative sum of calcemia changes from baseline (n=28) than positive ones (n=10) (p=0.004). There were simultaneous falls of calcium and magnesium from baseline (63/15 vs. 23/26, p<0.001; OR=4.75, 95% CI 2.14-10.51), phosphorous (45/33 vs. 9/40, p<0.001; 6.06, 2.59-14.20) and 25(OH)D concentrations (57/21 vs. 13/35, p<0.001; 7.31, 3.25-16.42), respectively. Calcemia positively correlated with magnesemia, phosphatemia and 25(OH)D values. Parathyroid hormone and C-telopeptide showed only subtle oscillations of their absolute concentrations or changes from baseline; calcitonin and osteocalcin did not change. Adjustment of final calcemia trend (depletion/accumulation) for relevant risk factors, generally, did not change the results. CONCLUSION: In patients with psychotic disorders and several risks for bone metabolism disturbances antipsychotic treatment was associated with the decrease of calcemia and changes in levels of the associated ions.
Antipsychotic Agents* ; Blood Chemical Analysis ; Bone and Bones ; Calcitonin ; Calcium* ; Homeostasis ; Humans ; Ions ; Magnesium ; Metabolism* ; Minerals ; Osteocalcin ; Osteoporotic Fractures ; Parathyroid Hormone ; Prospective Studies ; Psychotic Disorders ; Risk Factors

Studying effects of 50 Hz sinusoidal electromagnetic fields (SEMFs) with different intensities on peak bone mass (PBM) of rats may provide a theoretical basis for application of electromagnetic clinical field. 30 female SD rats, 6 weeks of age, were randomly divided into three groups: the control group, 0.1 mT electromagnetic field group (EMFs) and 0.6 mT EMFs. The EMFs groups were treated for 3 h/day. After 8 weeks, we examined their bone mineral densities (BMD) , measured their bone biomechanical properties, and made serum levels of osteocalcin (OC), tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b (TRACP 5b), and histomorphometry. It was found that the BMD (P < 0.01), maximum mechanical load (P < 0.01) in the 0.1 mT group were significantly higher than those in the control group, and Yield strength (P < 0.05), the analyses of serum bone turnover markers and histomorphometric parameters were better than those in the control group (P < 0.05). However, the 0.6 mT group did not have significantly difference comparing with that in the control group. This study proved that 50 Hz 0.1 mT SEMFs can increased BMD, bone strength, and bone tissue microstructure. Therefore, 50 Hz 0.1 mT SEMFs can improve peak bone mass of rats.
Acid Phosphatase ; blood ; Animals ; Bone Density ; Bone and Bones ; physiology ; Electromagnetic Fields ; Female ; Isoenzymes ; blood ; Osteocalcin ; blood ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Tartrate-Resistant Acid Phosphatase

To investigate the effect of naringenin on ovariectomy-induced postmenopausal osteoporosis comprehensively and systemically, thirty-two virgin Sprague-Dawley rats about 3-month-old were used and randomly divided into 4 groups: sham control group (Sham), OVX control group (OVX), naringenin treatment group and 17β-estradiol (E2) treatment group. After 12 weeks treatment with different drugs, 24 h urine were collected, organs were weighed and the organ indies were computed. Uterine pathological changes were observed by making paraffin section. Biochemical parameters and bone turnover markers: serum osteocalcin (BGP) and urine deoxypyridinoline (DPD) were analyzed with automatic biochemical analyzer or ELISA assay. Bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC) were analyzed by DEXA, bone biomechanical properties was measured by three point bending test and the trabecular bone microarchitecture was evaluated by Micro CT. From the results, we can see that: the gaining of weight and the increasing of bone turnover markers such as serum BGP and urinary DPD could be inhibited by naringenin. The treatment could also enhance the bone strength and prevent the deterioration of trabecular microarchitecture, increase the bone volume, trabecular number and thickness, and decrease the trabecular space. The effects mentioned above were not accompanied with stimulating effects on uterus. Long-term using of naringenin had no obvious influence on other organs and the liver and kidney functions. The study suggests that naringenin had obvious antiosteoporotic effect on ovariectomized rats and it had the potential value for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis.
Amino Acids ; urine ; Animals ; Bone Density ; Disease Models, Animal ; Estradiol ; pharmacology ; Estrogen Antagonists ; pharmacology ; Female ; Flavanones ; pharmacology ; Osteocalcin ; blood ; Osteoporosis ; drug therapy ; Ovariectomy ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Uterus ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of Shugan Jiangu Recipe (SJR) on bone mineral density (BMD) and serum bone metabolic biochemical markers in postmenopausal breast cancer patients with osteopenia.

METHODSTotally 38 patients of postmenopausal women with breast cancer, who received aromatase inhibitors (AIs), were assigned to the treatment group (21 cases) and the control group (17 cases) by using random digit table. All patients took Caltrate D Tablet (containing Ca 600 mg and Vit D3 125 IU), one tablet daily. Patients in the treatment group took SJR, 6 g each time, twice daily for 6 successive months. The bone mineral density (BMD) level was detected before treatment and at months 6 after treatment. Levels of bone alkaline phosphatase (BALP), bone gla protein (BGP), tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP), and C-terminal telopeptide of type II collagen (CTX-II) were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The drug safety was also assessed.

RESULTSCompared with before treatment, BMD of L2-4 and femur neck obviously increased in the treatment group at month 6 after treatment (P < 0.01), serum BALP and TRAP decreased (P < 0.05). Compared with before treatment, BMD of L2-4 and femur neck obviously decreased in the control group at month 6 after treatment (P < 0.05), serum BALP and TRAP increased (P < 0.01). Compared with the control group, lumbar and femur neck BMD obviously increased, serum levels of BGP and BALP obviously decreased, and serum levels of CTX-II and TRAP obviously increased in the treatment group at month 6 after treatment (P < 0.01). No serious adverse event occurred during the treatment period. Bone fracture occurred in one case of the control group (5.8%).

CONCLUSIONSJR could attenuate bone loss of postmenopausal women with breast cancer who received AIs, increase BMD and improve abnormal bone metabolism.

Acid Phosphatase ; blood ; Aged ; Alkaline Phosphatase ; blood ; Aromatase Inhibitors ; adverse effects ; Bone Density ; drug effects ; Bone and Bones ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Breast Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Collagen Type II ; blood ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Isoenzymes ; blood ; Middle Aged ; Osteocalcin ; blood ; Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal ; chemically induced ; prevention & control ; Peptide Fragments ; blood ; Tartrate-Resistant Acid Phosphatase

OBJECTIVETo compare the ability of osthole (OST) and genistein (GEN) in enhancing bone peak bone mass of rats to prevent osteoporosis.

METHODSThirty-six female one-month-old SD rats of (125 +/- 3) g body weight were randomly divided into three groups, 12 rats in each group, one group was orally administered osthole at 9 mg x kg(-1) d(-1), one group was given genistein at 10 mg x kg(-1) d(-1) and another was given equal quantity of distilled water as the control. The body weight was monitored weekly and the bone mineral density (BMD) of total body was measured every month. All rats were sacrificed after three months, the femoral bone mineral density, the serum levels of osteocalcin (OC) and anti-tartaric acid phosphatase 5b (TRACP 5b) were measured by Elisa. The bone microarchitectures were analyzed with micro-CT and the bone biomechanics properties were tested with universal material machine.

RESULTSNo significant differences were observed between O-treated or GEN group and the control for the food-intake and body weight during three months. However, the rats treated with OST had significant higher BMD for both total body and femur than the control and GEN group. The O-treated rats also had higher level of serum OC and lower level of TRACP 5b. Besides, they owned bigger bone volume/tissue volume, trabecular thickness, trabecular number but smaller trabecular spacing. In the three point bending tests of femurs,they were found to have larger maximum load, the young's modulus and structural model index (SMI).

CONCLUSIONOrally administered osthole could efficiently increase the peak bone mass of rats,which provide new ideas for preventing osteoporosis.

Acid Phosphatase ; blood ; Animals ; Body Weight ; drug effects ; Bone Density ; drug effects ; Coumarins ; pharmacology ; Female ; Femur ; diagnostic imaging ; drug effects ; pathology ; Genistein ; pharmacology ; Isoenzymes ; blood ; Osteocalcin ; blood ; Radiography ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Tartrate-Resistant Acid Phosphatase

AIM: To explore the therapeutic effects of Morinda officinalis capsules (MOP) on osteoporosis in ovariectomized rats. METHODS: Six-month-old female Sprague-Dawley rats were induced for postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMOP) by bilateral ovariectomy and divided into seven groups as follows: sham-operated group, ovariectomized (OVX) control group, OVX treated with xianlinggubao (XLGB) (270 mg·kg⁻¹·d⁻¹), OVX treated with alendronate sodium (ALN) (3 mg·kg⁻¹·d⁻¹), and OVX treated with Morinda officinalis capsule (MOP) of graded doses (90, 270 and 810 mg·kg⁻¹·d⁻¹) groups. Oral treatments were administered daily on the 4(th) week after ovariectomy and lasted for 12 weeks. The bone mineral density was evaluated by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. The tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP), alkaline phosphatase (AKP), and osteocalcin (OC) levels in the serum and plasma were determined by standard colorimetric and enzyme immunoassays methods. Bone biomechanical properties and morphological parameters were analyzed by three-point bending test and histomorphometry respectively. RESULTS: Morinda officinalis capsules at all doses were able to significantly prevent the OVX-induced loss of bone mass due to diminishing serum AKP and TRAP levels while elevating OC level in the plasma. Morinda officinalis capsules also enhanced the bone strength and prevented the deterioration of trabecular microarchitecture. CONCLUSION Morinda officinalis capsules possess potent anti-osteoporotic activity in OVX rats which could be an effective treatment for postmenopausal osteoporosis.
Acid Phosphatase ; blood ; Alkaline Phosphatase ; blood ; Animals ; Bone Density ; drug effects ; Bone Density Conservation Agents ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Capsules ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Isoenzymes ; blood ; Morinda ; Osteocalcin ; blood ; Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal ; blood ; metabolism ; prevention & control ; Ovariectomy ; Phytotherapy ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Tartrate-Resistant Acid Phosphatase