Vitamin K2 Supplementation to Activate Matrix Gla Protein (MGP) as Endogenous Inhibitor of Vascular Calcification in Hemodialysis Patients

Food Supplementation With Vitamin K2 to Activate MGP as an Endogenous Inhibitor of Vascular Calcification in Hemodialysis Patients

Vascular calcification (VC) is a predictor of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Hemodialysis (HD) patients suffer from severe vascular calcifications. Matrix Gla protein (MGP) is a central calcification inhibitor of the arterial wall and its activity depends on vitamin K-dependent γ-glutamate carboxylation. Noncarboxylated MGP, formed as a result of vitamin K deficiency, is associated with cardiovascular disease. Recent studies pointed towards poor vitamin K status in HD patients. We therefore aim to investigate whether daily vitamin K2 (MK-7) supplementation improves the bioactivity of vitamin K-dependent proteins in HD patients as assessed by circulating dephospho-noncarboxylated MGP (dp-ucMGP), noncarboxylated osteocalcin (ucOC) and noncarboxylated prothrombin (ucFII; PIVKA-II).

Inclusion Criteria:

• > 18 years of age
• minimum of 3 months of hemodialysis
• written consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• chronic or acute bowel disease
• soy bean allergy
• active Vitamin K Supplementation
• oral anticoagulation with vitamin K Antagonists (coumarins)
• systemic therapy using steroids
• positive history for thrombosis or embolism
• pregnancy