Relationship between serum undercarboxylated osteocalcin and hyaluronan levels in patients with bilateral knee osteoarthritis

Int J Mol Med. 2012 May;29(5):756-60. doi: 10.3892/ijmm.2012.897. Epub 2012 Jan 26.

Abstract

Serum undercarboxylated osteocalcin (s-ucOC) is a marker for vitamin K metabolism (deficiency). The aim of this study was to investigate the serum levels of ucOC in patients with bilateral knee osteoarthritis (K-OA), and the correlation between ucOC and other biomarkers for K-OA. A total of 25 patients (22 women, 3 men, mean age 76.0±7.8, range 54-88 years, mean BMI 24.9±4.7) with a Kellgren-Lawrence grade of 3 or 4 for bilateral knee were enrolled in this study. The levels of s-ucOC and other biomarkers were measured. The levels of s-ucOC (5.66±4.70 ng/ml) as well as other cartilage metabolism markers, were elevated in the patients; however, bone metabolism markers were within the normal ranges. Of interest, there was a significant correlation between s-ucOC and serum hyaluronan (a marker for synovitis) (P<0.05). Our findings suggest that vitamin K metabolism may be associated with synovitis in patients with K-OA, and s-ucOC could be a biomarker for K-OA.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • Cartilage / metabolism
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hyaluronic Acid / blood*
  • Hyaluronic Acid / metabolism
  • Knee Joint / metabolism*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Osteoarthritis, Knee / blood*
  • Osteoarthritis, Knee / metabolism*
  • Osteocalcin / blood*
  • Osteocalcin / metabolism
  • Vitamin K / metabolism
  • Vitamin K Deficiency / blood
  • Vitamin K Deficiency / metabolism

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Osteocalcin
  • Vitamin K
  • Hyaluronic Acid