Osteocalcin and metabolic dysfunction in young women with obesity

Abstract

Introduction Osteocalcin, a bone-derived hormone, has emerged as a potential regulator of energy metabolism, with roles in insulin sensitivity, glucose homeostasis, and lipid metabolism. Although an inverse association between osteocalcin and body mass index has been previously reported, data on its link with metabolic parameters in young, otherwise healthy women with obesity remain limited. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between circulating osteocalcin levels and key metabolic parameters in this specific population. Material and methods A cross-sectional observational study was conducted among 85 Caucasian women aged 18-45 years, without chronic disease or medication use. Participants were classified into two groups: normal weight (BMI 18.5-24.9 kg/m², n = 47) and with obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m², n = 38). Anthropometric, hemodynamic, and biochemical parameters, including glucose, insulin, lipid profile, osteocalcin, and adiponectin, were assessed. Insulin resistance was evaluated using HOMA-IR and QUICKI. Group comparisons and Pearson correlation analyses were performed. Results Osteocalcin levels were significantly lower in the group of women with obesity compared to the normal weight group (12.99 ± 4.7 vs. 19.75 ± 4.09 ng/mL, p < 0.001). It was inversely correlated with BMI (r = – 0.56), waist-to-hip ratio, waist-to-height ratio, insulin, HOMA-IR, total and LDL cholesterol, and positively associated with QUICKI (r = 0.39) and adiponectin (r = 0.31) (all p < 0.001). A progressive decline in osteocalcin levels was observed across obesity grades. Conclusions Circulating osteocalcin is inversely associated with adiposity and metabolic dysfunction, suggesting its potential as an early biomarker of cardiometabolic risk in young women with obesity.