Serum osteocalcin (bone gla-protein) and bone mineral content in non-insulin dependent diabetes

Serum levels of osteocalcin (OC), PTH and calcitonin as well as bone mineral content (BMC) at distal radius, were measured in 57 male patients with non-insulin dependent diabetes (NIDD). OC levels were markedly reduced (2.2 ± 1.5 ng/ml, control values 4.4 ± 1.6 ng/ml, p < 0.001) as were PTH values (20 ± 15 pg/ml, control values 29 ± 11 pg/ml, p < 0.05) suggesting a low osteoblastic activity. Patients who were given insulin had OC values higher than those treated with diet and oral hypoglycaemic drugs; however OC values were significantly depressed in all patient groups and were not related with serum insulin level, duration of the disease and control of diabetes. BMC was not significantly reduced in our patients when compared with age-matched healthy subjects. Also, no correlation was found between BMC and any metabolic abnormality. Our results indicate that serum OC is depressed in NIDD in spite of normal or even increased insulin levels. This metabolic abnormality, however, does not appear related with a significant bone loss