Osteocalcin and metabolic dysfunction in young women with obesity
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.
Epidemiology of type 2 diabetes and prediabetes in the adult population of the Republic of Moldova (preliminary data)
Introduction
Type 2 DM accounts for over 95% of all diabetes cases worldwide and represents an important and independent cardio-metabolic risk factor. This is the first national study (Epidemiological study of widespread endocrine pathologies (diabetes, obesity) in the Republic of Moldova and its management strategy) that analyzes the prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM), prediabetes, obesity, and dyslipidemia in the adult population of Moldova.
Material and methods
This is an epidemiological cross-sectional study with cluster random sampling. A face-to-face interview was conducted with the participants using a pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire. All biochemical tests were performed in a certified laboratory. Statistical analysis used Spearman’s correlation test, chi-square, and Wilcoxon tests. The Research Ethics Committee of Nicolae Testemițanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy (Minutes 3 from December 28, 2020) approved this study.
Results
728 individuals were enrolled, of which 2.5% had unknown DM. Advanced age, obesity, and dyslipidemia were influencing factors for diabetes. 21.4% of participants had prediabetes, with a higher prevalence in men than in women (28.3% versus 18.9%). Only 23.2% of men and 30.4% of women had a BMI within the normal range. Abdominal circumference (AC) values greater than 102 cm and 88 cm in men and women, respectively, were determined in 39.4% of men and 53.8% of women.
Conclusions
Our study showed an increased prevalence of carbohydrate metabolism disorders, including prediabetes, as well as a high prevalence of abdominal obesity. Persons with unknown diabetes mellitus have been identified.