Effect of supplementation with fortified olive oil on biochemical markers of bone turnover in healthy women

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.