Effect of vitamin K2 supplementation on functional vitamin K deficiency in hemodialysis patients: a randomized trial (Westenfeld R et al.)
The 2012 placebo-controlled clinical trial on dialysis patients, published in the American Journal of Kidney Disease, sought to assess the effects of natural vitamin K2 on vascular health parameters in a patient group that has a very high degree of risk for cardiovascular disease.
The aim of the study was to investigate whether daily vitamin K2 (MK-7) supplementation improves the bioactivity of vitamin K-dependent proteins in hemodialysis patients as assessed by circulating dephospho-noncarboxylated MGP (dp-ucMGP), noncarboxylated osteocalcin (ucOC) and noncarboxylated prothrombin (ucFII; PIVKA-II).
The study results confirmed that most hemodialysis patients have a functional vitamin K deficiency. More importantly, it is the first study showing that inactive MGP levels can be markedly decreased by daily vitamin K2 supplementation.
The researchers stated that:
“Our study provides the rationale for intervention trials aimed at decreasing vascular calcification in hemodialysis patients by vitamin K supplementation.”
Reference: Effect of vitamin K2 supplementation on functional vitamin K deficiency in hemodialysis patients: a randomized trial. Am J Kidney Dis. 2012; 59 (2):186-95.