Marker for bone formation

Marker for bone formation

• A. Osteocalcin
• B. Cross-linked C telopeptide
• C. Alkaline phosphatase
• D. Calcitonin

Answer: (A)

Osteocalcin is a marker of bone formation. It is a non-collagenous protein produced by osteoblasts and released during new bone synthesis, reflecting osteoblastic activity and bone matrix turnover. Clinically, higher levels indicate active bone formation, making it a specific signal of formation among the options. In contrast, cross-linked C-telopeptide comes from collagen breakdown and marks bone resorption, calcitonin is a hormone that inhibits osteoclasts rather than indicating formation, and alkaline phosphatase, while also a formation marker, is less specific to osteoblast-produced matrix turnover than osteocalcin.

Osteocalcin is a marker of bone formation. It is a non-collagenous protein produced by osteoblasts and released during new bone synthesis, reflecting osteoblastic activity and bone matrix turnover. Clinically, higher levels indicate active bone formation, making it a specific signal of formation among the options. In contrast, cross-linked C-telopeptide comes from collagen breakdown and marks bone resorption, calcitonin is a hormone that inhibits osteoclasts rather than indicating formation, and alkaline phosphatase, while also a formation marker, is less specific to osteoblast-produced matrix turnover than osteocalcin.