Vitamin K2 administration may reduce the progression of atherosclerosis. - GreenMedInfo Summary

Introduction Observational studies have shown that high dietary vitamin K2 intake is associated with reduced risk of coronary vascular disease and vascular calcification. Objectives This prospective randomized intervention study assesses the impact of vitamin K2 substitution on the progression of atherosclerosis and calcification markers in non-dialyzed 3-5 stage CKD patients.  Patients and methods The following measurements were taken at baseline and after 270±12 days ofsupplementation 90 μg vitamin K2 (menaquinone, MK-7) with 10 μg cholecalciferol (K+D group) or 10 μg cholecalciferol (group D) in 42 non-dialyzed CKD patients: Common Carotid Intima Media Thickness (CCA-IMT), Coronary Artery Calcification Score (CACS), serum mineral parameters, lipids, as well asthe calcification modulators: matrix Gla protein (MGP), desphosphorylated-uncarboxylated-MGP (dp-ucMGP), osteoprotegerin (OPG), fetuin A, osteocalcin (OC) and fibroblast grown factor 23 (FGF-23).  Results The increase of CCA-IMT was significantly lower in the K+D group (from 0.95±0.2 mm to 1.01±0.3, P=0.003) than in the D group (from 1.02±0.2 mm to 1.16±0.3, P=0.003), resulting in a ΔCCA-IMT 0.06±0.08 vs 0.136±0.05 mm, P=0.005 respectively. The increase in CACS was numerically less in K+D patients (ΔCACS: 58.1±106.5 vs 74.4±127.1 Agatson units, P=0.7). The level of dp-ucMGP and total OC decreased in K+D patients during the study, OPG increased in both groups.  Conclusions A 270-day course of 90 μg vitamin K2 administration may reduced the progression of atherosclerosis. Vitamin K2 significantly changed the pattern of promoters and calcification inhibitors dp-ucMGP, OC andOPG but failed to affect the progression of coronary artery calcification in CKD patients over the treatment period.