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Calcification of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells and Imaging of Aortic Calcification and Inflammation
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Calcification of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells and Imaging of Aortic Calcification and Inflammation

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[Calcium and vitamin K: effects on bone tissue and vascular remodeling (literature review).]

S V Bulgakova1, E V Treneva1, N O Zakharova1

  • 1Samara state medical University, 89 Chapaevskaya str., Samara 443099, Russian Federation,

Advances in Gerontology = Uspekhi Gerontologii
|March 28, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Calcium supplements may increase heart disease risk by causing vascular calcification. Vitamin K2 may mitigate this risk, offering a protective effect against arterial stiffness and atherosclerosis progression.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Nutritional Science
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Calcium preparations are widely used for low bone mineral density.
  • Emerging evidence links increased calcium intake to heightened cardiovascular disease risk.
  • Vascular calcification, a key factor in atherosclerosis, is exacerbated by calcium deposition.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the 'calcium paradox' where calcium benefits bones but may harm vasculature.
  • To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying vascular calcification.
  • To explore therapeutic strategies involving vitamin K2 for managing vascular calcification.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of scientific studies on calcium, vitamin K, and cardiovascular health.
  • Analysis of molecular pathways involved in vascular calcification.
  • Evaluation of clinical evidence for vitamin K2 in preventing arterial calcification.

Main Results:

  • Calcium supplementation is associated with increased arterial calcification and atherosclerosis.
  • Vitamin K plays a crucial role in calcium homeostasis and arterial health.
  • Vitamin K2 demonstrates potential in reducing arterial calcification and stiffness.

Conclusions:

  • The 'calcium paradox' highlights the complex role of calcium in health.
  • Understanding vascular calcification mechanisms is vital for cardiovascular disease prevention.
  • Vitamin K2 emerges as a promising therapeutic agent to counteract adverse effects of calcium on vascular health.

Keywords:
bone mineral densitycalciumcalcium paradoxosteoporosisvascular calcificationvitamin K

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