RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SERUM OSTEOCALCIN AND BLOOD PRESSURE IN CHINESE ADOLESCENTS AGED 12–18 YEARS

Abstract

Objective: The relationship between serum osteocalcin level and blood pressure remains unclear. The aim of this study was to determine whether osteocalcin would be associated with blood pressure in Chinese adolescents. Design and method: A total of 1686 subjects (1022 boys,60.6%) aged 12–18 years from Ningxia were randomly selected through a stratified cluster sampling. Serum osteocalcin levels were measured by ELISA. Blood pressure (BP) by using a calibrated electronic sphygmomanometer according to the standard method by the American Hypertension Education Project Working Group. Results: The proportions of Hypertension was highest in the< = 33th percentile subgroup (39.8%) and lowest in the > 66th percentile subgroup (26.3%) in boys, with statistically significant differences between groups (2 = 10.988, P = 0.027). Compared with the subgroup of the< = 33th percentile, the odds ratios (ORs) for abnormal blood pressure were 0.73(95% confidence interval (CI), 0.55—0.96) in the 34th–66th percentile subgroup, 0.64(95% CI, 0.48—0.84) in the > 66th percentile subgroup, respectively. Additionally, the corresponding ORs for high BP were 0.63(95%CI,0.45–0.89) in the 34th–66th percentile subgroup,0.59(95%CI,0.42–0.84) in the > 66th percentile subgroup, respectively. Similar results were found in boys (P all < 0.05). After Adjusting age, fasting blood glucose and BMI, the ORs for high BP were 0.60(95%CI,0.36–0.99) in the > 66th percentile subgroup compared with the reference subgroup. Conclusions: Serum osteocalcin is a protective factor for hypertension in Chinese adolescents, especially in boys.