The aim of this study was to examine whether circulating osteocalcin was associated with measures of insulin resistance, plasma adipokine (adiponectin and leptin) levels and metabolic syndrome. The cohort included 1,284 Blacks (64±9 years; 71% women) and 1,209 non-Hispanic whites (59±10 years; 57% women). There was a negative relationship between osteocalcin levels and the number of metabolic syndrome components in black and non-Hispanic white participants. This study also confirmed the negative associations between serum osteocalcin and measures of insulin resistance as well as measures of adiposity, a finding which was also observed in Blacks. The authors also found significant associations between serum osteocalcin and adiponectin as well as leptin levels. These observations suggest that osteocalcin may have beneficial effects on insulin resistance, body fat mass and adipokines. More studies are necessary to understand the role of this new biomarker.
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