Affiliations: [a] Institute of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Polytechnic University of Marche, Via P. Ranieri 65, 60131 Ancona, Italy. e-mail: vignini2@libero.it
| [b] Fattoria Petrini, Via San Vito 12, 60037 Monte San Vito (AN), Italy
Abstract: Osteocalcin (OC) is a bone Gla protein synthesized by osteoblasts which have a high affinity for calcium. To adequately carboxylate OC to form carboxylated OC (cOC), the osteoblasts require sufficient vitamin K. If vitamin K is deficient, under-carboxylated OC (ucOC) is produced. The ratio between ucOC and cOC (UCR) as well as the levels of circulating ucOC are used as indicators of the vitamin K status of bone. The aim of the present study was to compare the vitamin K status of bone by measuring the plasma levels of ucOC and UCR in healthy adult women before and after 3 weeks of oral supplementation with 20 ml/day Petrini Plus extra virgin olive oil. Petrini Plus is an organic olive oil enriched with vitamins D3, K1 and B6. Enrolled in the study were 15 healthy female volunteers (aged 25–40 years). Plasma levels of ucOC and cOC were measured by ELISA. ucOC was found to be reduced and UCR was reduced by 44% after Petrini Plus olive oil supplementation. Petrini Plus extra virgin olive oil might therefore be useful for bone protection as it was able to counteract bone loss in healthy volunteers.
Keywords: Osteocalcin, Osteoporosis, Petrini Plus extra virgin olive oil, Vitamin K
