SERUM OSTEOCALCIN LEVELS IN TYPE-I DIABETES-MELLITUS

Serum osteocalcin levels are a marker of bone formation. In this study , bone and mineral metabolism in type I diabetes mellitus (DM) were in vestigated, and the changes related to diabetic microvascular complica tions were examined. Serum calcium (Ca), inorganic phosphate (P), oste ocalcin (OC) and parathyroid hormone (PM) levels were measured in 42 t ype I diabetic subjects. Diabetics were subdivided into those with or without complications. Age and sex-matched control subjects were used for comparisons with the diabetic groups. Serum P and PTH levels were not different from those of controls. Serum Ca levels were significant ly increased (p < 0.001) although the values were within the normal ra nge. CC levels were significantly lower in the complicated (retinopath y and/or protenuria) diabetic group (p < 0.005). In Type I diabetes me llitus, the serum OC level is influenced by the presence of microvascu lar complications.