Study Proves Vitamin K2 Supplements Reverse Deficiencies

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Vascular calcification is a strong predictor of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, and hemodialysis patients are known to experience severe vascular calcifications. Matrix Gla protein (MGP) is an inhibitor of vascular calcification and dependent on vitamin K for activation.

Uncarboxylated (inactive) MGP, a result of vitamin K deficiency, is associated with cardiovascular disease. Recent studies suggest poor vitamin K status in hemodialysis patients. The researchers, therefore, aimed to investigate whether daily vitamin K supplementation improves the bioactivity of vitamin K-dependent proteins in hemodialysis patients, assessed by circulating uncarboxylated MGP (ucMGP), uncarboxylated osteocalcin (ucOC), and uncarboxylated prothrombin (ucPIVKA-II).

This study was a randomized, non-placebo-controlled trial with 3 parallel groups of differing menaquinone-7 (MK-7, a form of vitamin K2) treatment at 45, 135, or 360 μg/d for 6 weeks.

At baseline, hemodialysis patients had 4.5-fold higher ucMGP and 8.4-fold higher ucOC levels compared with controls. ucPIVKA-II levels were elevated in 49 hemodialysis patients. MK-7 supplementation induced a dose- and time-dependent decrease in circulating ucMGP,ucOC , and ucPIVKA-II levels. Response rates in the reduction in ucMGP levels were 77% and 93% in the groups receiving 135 μg and 360 μg of MK-7, respectively.

This study confirms that most hemodialysis patients have a functional vitamin K deficiency, but more importantly, it shows that inactive MGP levels can be decreased markedly by daily vitamin K2 supplementation. This study provides the rationale for intervention trials aimed at decreasing vascular calcification in hemodialysis patients by vitamin K supplementation.

Source: Effect of Vitamin K2 Supplementation on Functional Vitamin K Deficiency in Hemodialysis Patients: A Randomized Trial

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