Serum levels of osteocalcin and type I procollagen in children with celiac disease.
BACKGROUND
Bone metabolism may be disturbed in children with celiac disease.


METHODS
Two markers of bone turnover were used: the level of osteocalcin (BGP) and the level of carboxylterminal peptide of type I procollagen (PICP). BGP and PICP were measured by radioimmunoassays in 18 untreated children with celiac disease (mean age: 22.9 +/- 15.6 months) and in 15 control subjects (mean age 28.5 +/- 21 months). All the patients were rechecked after 1 month and again after 3 months from beginning of a gluten-free diet (GFD).


RESULTS
Compared with controls at diagnosis our patients had significantly lower serum levels of BGP and PICP (p = 0.003 and p = 0.018 by Student's t test, respectively). These levels increased markedly during the 1st 3 months of GFD.


CONCLUSIONS
The alteration in calcium phosphate homeostasis caused by celiac disease directly affects the synthesis of both components of the connective matrix of bone. Measurements of BGP and PICP provide a reliable and rapidly obtainable index of normalization of the processes of bone growth which can be achieved with a GFD.
Pratico
G
G
First Department of Pediatrics, University of Catania, Sicily, Italy.
Caltabiano
L
L
Bottaro
G
G
Palano
G M
GM
Rotolo
N
N
Spina
M
M
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000378:metabolism*; D002118:Calcium / Q000097:blood; D002446:Celiac Disease / Q000097:blood* / Q000178:diet therapy; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D015675:Osteocalcin / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism; D010710:Phosphates / Q000097:blood; D011347:Procollagen / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism; D012016:Reference Values; D013997:Time Factors
D015415:Biomarkers; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D010710:Phosphates; D011347:Procollagen; C042813:procollagen type I carboxy terminal peptide; D015675:Osteocalcin; D002118:Calcium