Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 25, 2026
Assessment of Vascular Function in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease
Published on: June 16, 2014
Effect of Vitamin K on Vascular Health and Physical Function in Older People with Vascular Disease--A Randomised
R L Fulton1, M E T McMurdo, A Hill
1RL Fulton, Ageing and Health, Mailbox 1, Medical Research Institute, Division of Diabetes and Cardiovascular Medicine, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee DD1 9SY. Telephone 441382 383086, Fax 441382 383670, Email r.l.z.fulton@dundee.ac.uk.
Background And Aims:
Vitamin K insufficiency is common and linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and osteoporotic fractures. The aim of this study was to examine whether daily supplementation with oral vitamin K could improve vascular health and physical function in older people with established vascular disease.
Methods And Results:
A double blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial. Participants aged ≤ 70 years with a history of vascular disease were randomised to receive 6 months of daily oral 100mcg vitamin K2 (MK7 subtype) or matching placebo with outcomes measured at 0, 3 and 6 months. The primary outcome was between-group difference in endothelial function assessed using flow-mediated dilatation of the brachial artery at 6 months. Secondary outcomes included carotid-radial pulse wave velocity, augmentation index, blood pressure, carotid intima-media thickness, C-reactive protein, B-type natriuretic peptide, cholesterol and desphospho-uncarboxylated matrix Gla protein levels. Handgrip strength and the Short Physical Performance Battery assessed physical function, while postural sway was measured using a 3-dimensional force platform.
Results:
80 participants were randomised, mean age 77 (SD 5) years; 44/80 were male. Vitamin K levels rose in the intervention arm compared to placebo (+48 pg/ml vs -6 pg/ml, p=0.03) at 6 months. Desphospho-uncarboxylated Matrix Gla protein levels fell in the intervention group compared to placebo at 6 months (-130 [SD 117] pmol/L vs +13 [SD 180] pmol/L, p<0.001). No change was seen in endothelial function (between group difference -0.3% [95%CI -1.3 to 0.8], p=0.62). A modest, non-significant improvement in pulse wave velocity was seen in the vitamin K group (-0.8m/s [95%CI -1.8 to 0.3], p=0.15) while all other vascular and physical function outcomes unchanged.
Conclusions:
Six months of vitamin K2 supplementation did not improve markers of vascular health or physical function in older patients with vascular disease.
More Related Videos
06:40Isolation and Functional Analysis of Arteriolar Endothelium of Mouse Brain Parenchyma
Published on: March 11, 2022
04:44Author Spotlight: Enhancing Vascular Function and Physical Capacity in Cardiovascular Disease Through Novel Interventions and NIRS Technology
Published on: March 22, 2024
Related Concept Videos
01:25Role of Vitamins in Maintaining Bone Health
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is involved in the process of bone remodeling. Retinoic acid, the active metabolite of Vitamin A, has nuclear receptors in osteoblasts and osteoclasts, which are involved in bone remodeling.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 acts as a cofactor during the formation of osteoblast-related proteins, such as osteocalcin. Vitamin B12 plays a role...
01:27Pharmacodynamics in Geriatric Patients: Effects of Age
01:18Anticoagulant Drugs: Vitamin K Antagonists and Direct Oral Anticoagulants
Warfarin, a prominent vitamin K antagonist family member, exerts its effect by inhibiting the enzyme VKORC1 (vitamin K epoxide reductase complex 1). By hindering this enzyme, warfarin...
01:18Pharmacokinetics in Geriatric Patients: Effect of Age on Drug Metabolism
01:00Pharmacokinetics in Geriatric Patients: Effect of Age on Drug Distribution
01:22Pharmacokinetics in Geriatric Patients: Effect of Age on Drug Absorption