[Serum osteocalcin and diabetes mellitus. A study of 98 patients]

The goal of this study was to evaluate in 98 diabetic patients the serum levels of osteocalcin (OC) and their relationship with glycosylated hemoglobin levels and with the duration, calculated in years, of the disease. Patients were divided in 3 groups: 17 IDDM patients, 62 NIDDM patients treated with oral hypoglycaemic agents, and 19 NIDDM patients treated with insulin. Results were compared to 2 different control groups. In IDDM patients OC serum levels were significantly lower if compared either to control group and to NIDDM patients. The 2 groups of NIDDM patients showed significantly higher OC values than controls. No significant relationship resulted between OC levels, the duration of diabetes and the glycosylated hemoglobin values. The results of the study indicate a direct correlation between pancreatic function and osteoblastic activity: insulin lack is associated with reduced OC serum levels.