Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 3, 2026

A Semi-Automated and Reproducible Biological-Based Method to Quantify Calcium Deposition In Vitro
Published on: June 2, 2022
[Undercarboxylated osteocalcin (Glu-OC) bone metabolism and vascular calcification in hemodialyzed patients]
Wacław Bentkowski1, Marek Kuźniewski2, Danuta Fedak3
1Oddział Nefrologii i Dializoterapii Wojewódzkiego Szpitala Specjalistycznego Nr 1 w Rzeszowie.
Unlabelled:
Osteocalcin (OC) is witamino-K dependent calcium-binding protein comprising three gamma carboxy glutamic acid residues (Gla) which determines a strong bond with hydroxyapatite. In vitamin K deficiency and/or increased bone resorption undercarboxylated osteocalcin (Glu-OC) appears in the blood. The aim of this study was to evaluate the level of Glu-OC and markers of bone metabolism and their impact on coronary artery calcification in patients with end-stage renal failure treated with repeated hemodialysis. The study included 68 patients (29 women and 39 men) aged 60.3 +/- 12.3 years hemodialysis period 24.5 +/- 4.8 months. Control group consisted of 35 healthy volunteers comparable in terms of age and gender. CACS was evaluated based on multislice spiral computed tomography (MSCT). Measurement of carboxylated osteocalcin (Gla-OC) and Glu-OC, bone alkaline phosphatase (bALP), tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP5) were assessed by ELISA and iPTH by Nichols method. Present study demonstrated that the Gla-OC and Glu-OC in hemodialysis patients were significantly higher than the control group 116.37 +/- 70.01 ng/ml and 93.72 +/- 112.63 ng/ml versus 19.51 +/- 3.78 ng/ml and 4.88 +/- 2.63 ng/ ml; p <0.001. Glu-OC level correlated significantly with iPTH, bALP, TRAP5 (p <0.001) and CaSc (p <0.014).
Conclusions:
1. The results indicate a significant correlation between Glu-OC and assessed markers of bone metabolism. 2. Research has indicated a link between bone metabolism and the degree of calcification in the coronary arteries.
Related Concept Videos
Osteoclasts in Bone Remodeling
Role of Vitamins in Maintaining Bone Health
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is involved in the process of bone remodeling. Retinoic acid, the active metabolite of Vitamin A, has nuclear receptors in osteoblasts and osteoclasts, which are involved in bone remodeling.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 acts as a cofactor during the formation of osteoblast-related proteins, such as osteocalcin. Vitamin B12 plays a role...
Skeleton and Calcium Homeostasis
Bone Remodeling
The Bone Matrix
Hormones and Bone Tissue
Hormones That Influence Osteoblasts and/or Maintain the Matrix
Several hormones are necessary for controlling bone growth and maintaining the bone matrix. The pituitary gland secretes growth hormone (GH), which, as its name implies, controls bone growth. This happens in several ways: first, it triggers chondrocyte...

