Serum osteocalcin is significantly related to indices of obesity and lipid profile in Malaysian men.
OBJECTIVE
Recent studies revealed a possible reciprocal relationship between the skeletal system and obesity and lipid metabolism, mediated by osteocalcin, an osteoblast-specific protein. This study aimed to validate the relationship between serum osteocalcin and indices of obesity and lipid parameters in a group of Malaysian men.


METHODS
A total of 373 men from the Malaysian Aging Male Study were included in the analysis. Data on subjects' demography, body mass index (BMI), body fat (BF) mass, waist circumference (WC), serum osteocalcin and fasting lipid levels were collected. Bioelectrical impendence (BIA) method was used to estimate BF. Multiple linear and binary logistic regression analyses were performed to analyze the association between serum osteocalcin and the aforementioned variables, with adjustment for age, ethnicity and BMI.


RESULTS
Multiple regression results indicated that weight, BMI, BF mass, BF %, WC were significantly and negatively associated with serum osteocalcin (p < 0.001). There was a significant positive association between serum osteocalcin and high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (p = 0.032). Binary logistic results indicated that subjects with low serum osteocalcin level were more likely to be associated with high BMI (obese and overweight), high BF%, high WC and low HDL cholesterol (p < 0.05). Subjects with high osteocalcin level also demonstrated high total cholesterol level (p < 0.05) but this association was probably driven by high HDL level. These variables were not associated with serum C-terminal of telopeptide crosslinks in the subjects (p > 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Serum osteocalcin is associated with indices of obesity and HDL level in men. These relationships should be validated by a longitudinal study, with comprehensive hormone profile testing.
1. Pharmacology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur Malaysia.
Kok-Yong
KY
Chin
1. Pharmacology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur Malaysia.
Soelaiman
S
Ima-Nirwana
1. Pharmacology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur Malaysia.
Isa Naina
IN
Mohamed
2. Anatomy Department, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur Malaysia.
Fairus
F
Ahmad
2. Anatomy Department, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur Malaysia.
Elvy Suhana Mohd
ES
Ramli
3. Physiology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur Malaysia.
Amilia
A
Aminuddin
4. Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur Malaysia.
Wan Zurinah Wan
WZ
Ngah
D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D000328:Adult; D044466:Asian People; D001823:Body Composition; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D008296:Malaysia; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D015675:Osteocalcin / Q000097:blood; D055105:Waist Circumference
D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D015675:Osteocalcin
Body mass index; Cholesterol; Men; Obesity; Osteocalcin.