title: Serum level of under-carboxylated osteocalcin and bone mineral density in early menopausal Norwegian women.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Serum level of under-carboxylated osteocalcin (ucOC) is considered a sensitive measure of vitamin K status, and ucOC levels are associated with bone mineral density (BMD) and fracture risk in elderly persons. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between ucOC and BMD in early menopausal women.
  
  
  METHODS
  The data reported here come from the enrollment in a double-blinded placebo-controlled randomized trial comprising 334 healthy Norwegian women between 50 and 60 years, 1-5 years after menopause, not using warfarin or medication known to affect bone metabolism. Total hip, femoral neck, lumbar spine, and total body BMD and serum level of ucOC and total osteocalcin were measured, and information of lifestyle was collected through questionnaires. The association between ucOC and BMD at all measurement sites was assessed by multiple regression analyses adjusting for possible confounding variables.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The absolute serum level of ucOC was significantly and negatively associated with BMD at all measurements sites, both in univariate analyses (p < 0.01) and in multivariate analyses adjusting for years since menopause, smoking status and weight (p < 0.01). However, serum ucOC, expressed as percentage of the total osteocalcin level, was not associated with BMD at any site.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Achievement of adequate vitamin K nutritional intake is important, but ucOC expressed as percentage of total osteocalcin levels as reflection of vitamin K status does not seem to play a central role in determining BMD levels in early menopausal women.
authors: Department of Health and Care Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Tromsø, 9037, Tromsø, Norway. nina.emaus@uit.no
authors: Nina
authors: N
authors: Emaus
authors: Nguyen D
authors: ND
authors: Nguyen
authors: Bjørg
authors: B
authors: Almaas
authors: Gro K
authors: GK
authors: Berntsen
authors: Jacqueline R
authors: JR
authors: Center
authors: Monika
authors: M
authors: Christensen
authors: Clara G
authors: CG
authors: Gjesdal
authors: Anne S
authors: AS
authors: Grimsgaard
authors: Tuan V
authors: TV
authors: Nguyen
authors: Laila
authors: L
authors: Salomonsen
authors: John A
authors: JA
authors: Eisman
authors: Vinjar M
authors: VM
authors: Fønnebø
mesh_terms: D001827:Body Height; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D015519:Bone Density; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005272:Femur Neck / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000502:physiology; D008593:Menopause; D008875:Middle Aged; D009664:Norway; D015675:Osteocalcin / Q000097:blood*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014812:Vitamin K / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D015675:Osteocalcin; D014812:Vitamin K