Osteocalcin N-Mid Fragment, Plasma

Osteocalcin is a non-collagenous protein produced by osteoblasts, osteocytes, and odontoblasts and is the second most abundant protein in the bone matrix. Its biological function is probably related to the regulation of bone turnover and / or mineralisation. Most newly synthesised osteocalcin adsorbs to bone and a small part of it leaks into the circulation. Osteocalcin may further undergo intracellular processing or be degraded after secretion, leading to the generation of smaller fragments. In metabolic bone diseases, not all of osteocalcin fragments are derived from the metabolism of osteocalcin in the circulation or peripheral organs but also from osteocalcin embedded in bone. Thus, part of osteocalcin found in blood may also originate from osteocalcin embedded in the bone matrix during bone degradation.

Osteocalcin is used as a specific marker of osteoblast activity and bone formation or turnover. Elevated osteocalcin levels are associated with metabolic bone diseases such as osteoporosis, primary hyperparathyroidism, hyperthyroidism, Paget’s disease, and renal osteodystrophy.

1 ml Serum Frozen

Pre-Menopause: < 31.2 ng/mL Post-Menopause: < 41.3 ng/mL Male: < 26.3 ng/mL