Assessment of Uncarboxylated Osteocalcin Levels in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Cureus. 2023 Feb 22;15(2):e35297. doi: 10.7759/cureus.35297. eCollection 2023 Feb.

Abstract

Osteocalcin is one of the main organic components of the bone matrix and consists of 49 amino acids excreted from osteoblastic cells in carboxylated and uncarboxylated forms. Carboxylated Osteocalcin belongs to the bone matrix, whereas uncarboxylated osteocalcin (ucOC) is an important enzyme of osteocalcin in the circulatory system. It is an essential protein for balancing the minerals in bones, binding with calcium, and regulating body glucose levels. In this review, we point out the assessment of ucOC levels in type 2 diabetes mellitus. The experimental results that show ucOC controls glucose metabolism are significant because they relate to the current obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. To confirm that, low serum levels of ucOC were a risk factor for poor glucose metabolism, and further clinical studies are required.

Keywords: carboxylated osteocalcin; glucose metabolism; osteocalcin; type 2 diabetes mellitus; uncarboxylated osteocalcin.

Publication types

  • Review