Osteocalcin

Osteocalcin is a protein that is part of bone tissue. It is formed by osteoblast cells, whose function is to strengthen, restore and create new bone structures.

The test is necessary for diagnosing and monitoring the treatment of diseases characterized by a decrease in bone density (osteoporosis, osteomalacia, Paget's disease), because the level of osteocalcin in the blood reflects two processes simultaneously:

Bone destruction: Disruption of bone tissue causes osteocalcin, which has already been “embedded” in the tissue, to detach from the matrix and enter the bloodstream;

Formation of new cellular elements, i.e. the process of osteosynthesis: activated osteoblasts produce large amounts of osteocalcin.

The level of osteocalcin depends on other biologically active substances. Parathyroid hormone (Parathormone) reduces the activity of osteoblasts, thereby reducing the concentration of osteocalcin. At the same time, an excessive amount of this hormone (hyperparathyroidism) causes the bone tissue to begin to break down, therefore, the level of osteocalcin will increase.

Vitamin D activates osteoblasts, thereby increasing the synthesis of osteocalcin and its amount in the blood. In practice, the application of the test is to control the effectiveness of the treatment of osteoporosis.