Osteocalcin and epicardial adipose tissue in obesity: new hints for epicardial adipose tissue-bone crosstalk

Abstract

Objectives: Osteocalcin (OC) appears to be involved in the regulation of glucose and fat metabolism. We aimed to determine the association between OC and epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) in premenopausal obese women. Design: The study included 73 premenopausal obese women and 55 non-obese women. Echocardiographic examination was performed to measure EAT. Serum OC levels were measured by chemiluminescence immunoassay. Results: OC levels were significantly lower in obese women than controls (18.26 +/- 5.27 vs. 22.53 +/- 6.84 ng/ml, p < .001). EAT thickness was higher in obese women than controls (5.19 +/- 0.73 vs. 3.25 +/- 1.35 mm, p < .001). In obese women, OC was positively correlated with EAT thickness (p = .043; r = 0.326). There was no correlation in controls. Conclusions: Premenopausal obese women had lower OC levels and thicker EAT than controls. There was a weak positive correlation between OC and EAT in premenopausal obese women. This potential cross talk between bone metabolism and EAT could play a role in the development of atherosclerosis in obesity.