Research compounds
Osteocalcin
Bone Gla protein, BGLAP
Osteocalcin is a small protein produced by osteoblasts, long used as a bone formation marker. Its proposed second life as a bone-derived hormone regulating metabolism, fertility and cognition has been seriously challenged.
Also known as: BGLAP, bone Gla protein
- Status
- Osteocalcin is a research compound and not approved by the FDA for human use.
- Evidence
- Preclinical. Evidence comes from animal or lab studies; effects in people are not established.
- Half-life
- Approximately 5 minutes in circulation.
- How it's taken
- Not used therapeutically; measured as a biomarker
- Mechanism
- Other
How Osteocalcin works
Osteocalcin is gamma-carboxylated in a vitamin K-dependent manner and incorporated into bone matrix. Osteoclastic bone resorption decarboxylates it, releasing an undercarboxylated form into the circulation. A body of work proposed that this circulating form acts as a hormone at GPRC6A, increasing insulin secretion and sensitivity, testosterone production and cognitive function.
What research has looked at
- Total and undercarboxylated osteocalcin remain genuinely useful clinical markers of bone turnover.
- Its vitamin K-dependent carboxylation is well established biochemistry and underpins interest in vitamin K status and bone health.
- The endocrine hypothesis, whatever its ultimate fate, productively reframed bone as a potentially secretory organ.
Evidence level: Preclinical. Evidence comes from animal or lab studies; effects in people are not established. These are areas studied or reported, not promised effects.
Reported side effects and risks
- Subsequent independent work using osteocalcin-knockout mice generated by different groups failed to reproduce the metabolic, fertility and cognitive phenotypes, casting serious doubt on the endocrine hypothesis. This dispute is unresolved and the original claims should be treated as contested, not established. No regulator has approved it, the human evidence base is limited, and material sold under this name is research chemical supply with unverified identity, purity, sterility and dose accuracy.
- No osteocalcin-based therapy exists or is in development.
- Supplements marketed on the basis of the osteocalcin endocrine hypothesis have no controlled human evidence.
- Its role as a bone turnover marker is unaffected by this dispute and should not be confused with the hormonal claims.
Sources
- PubMed research on osteocalcin GPRC6A knockout replication controversy · NIH · National Library of Medicine
- DrugBank record for osteocalcin · DrugBank
- Active clinical trials for osteocalcin · U.S. National Library of Medicine
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Related compounds
Osteocalcin FAQ
What is Osteocalcin?
Osteocalcin is a small protein produced by osteoblasts, long used as a bone formation marker. Its proposed second life as a bone-derived hormone regulating metabolism, fertility and cognition has been seriously challenged.
How does Osteocalcin work?
Osteocalcin is gamma-carboxylated in a vitamin K-dependent manner and incorporated into bone matrix. Osteoclastic bone resorption decarboxylates it, releasing an undercarboxylated form into the circulation. A body of work proposed that this circulating form acts as a hormone at GPRC6A, increasing insulin secretion and sensitivity, testosterone production and cognitive function.
Is Osteocalcin FDA approved?
No. Osteocalcin is a research compound and not approved by the FDA for human use. Evidence level: preclinical. Evidence comes from animal or lab studies; effects in people are not established.
What is the half-life of Osteocalcin?
Reported half-life: Approximately 5 minutes in circulation.
How is Osteocalcin taken?
Not used therapeutically; measured as a biomarker.
What side effects have been reported with Osteocalcin?
Reported in the sources: Subsequent independent work using osteocalcin-knockout mice generated by different groups failed to reproduce the metabolic, fertility and cognitive phenotypes, casting serious doubt on the endocrine hypothesis. This dispute is unresolved and the original claims should be treated as contested, not established. No regulator has approved it, the human evidence base is limited, and material sold under this name is research chemical supply with unverified identity, purity, sterility and dose accuracy; No osteocalcin-based therapy exists or is in development; Supplements marketed on the basis of the osteocalcin endocrine hypothesis have no controlled human evidence; Its role as a bone turnover marker is unaffected by this dispute and should not be confused with the hormonal claims.
Educational summary compiled from the sources listed above. Not medical advice. Peptide Vault does not sell, source or recommend any compound. Talk to a qualified clinician before starting or changing anything.