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Updated: May 21, 2026

A Novel Method: Super-selective Adrenal Venous Sampling
Published on: September 15, 2017
Effect of physiological exercise on osteocalcin levels in subjects with adrenal incidentaloma
1Department of Internal Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Parma, Via Gramsci 14, Parma, Italy.
Aim:
In the present study, we have evaluated whether physical exercise affect low osteocalcin concentrations observed in patients with subclinical hypercortisolism.
Subjects And Methods:
Sixteen patients (10 men and 6 women, age 38-55 yr) with adrenal incidentaloma were studied. Fifteen healthy volunteers matched for age (range 35-47 yr) were used as controls. Subjects were submitted to a 8-week exercise-training program with cycle-ergometer for 1 h/day 3-4 days/week at 60% of their individual VO2 max. Before and after this period, resting venous serum osteocalcin and GH concentrations were measured in the same batch. The blood sampling after 8 weeks of the training program were performed after resting for one day. All patients and controls underwent also the following endocrine evaluation: serum cortisol, plasma ACTH.
Results:
Our results demonstrate a significant increase of osteocalcin after physical exercise and a positive correlation between osteocalcin and GH. This later might suggest a role of GH in the increased osteocalcin secretion.
Conclusions:
The data of the present study suggest a positive effect of physical exercise on bone metabolism in patients with adrenal incidentaloma.
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