Vitamin K status and vascular health in a general population

Vitamin K has been proposed to have a preventive effect against arterial calcification through activation of the vitamin K dependent proteins and potentially protect against progression of atherosclerosis. Our aim was to assess the association between vitamin K status and vascular health in a general elderly population.

In a cross-sectional study, the vitamin status was measured using the inverse biomarker, dephospho-uncarboxylated Matrix Gla Protein (dp-ucMGP). Vascular health was reflected by total coronary artery calcification (CAC) score and coronary artery stenosis estimated using a cardiac Computed Tomography scan and by arterial stiffness estimated using carotid-femoral Pulse Wave Velocity (cfPWV). A total of 2167 participants with a mean age of 68 years (48% women) were included. In the fully adjusted analyses adjusted for age, sex, lifestyle factors, waist circumference, mean arterial pressure (for cfPWV) and kidney function, a doubling in dp-ucMGP levels (indicating lower vitamin K status) were independently and significantly associated with higher cfPWV (0.30 m/s (95% CI: 0.08 to 0.52 m/s)) but not with total CAC (21% increased total CAC (95% CI -5 to 54%)) or severity of stenosis (OR 1.26 (95% CI 0.86 to 1.86) for obstructive-extensive stenoses compared to no stenosis).

Lower vitamin K status was independently associated with higher arterial stiffness but not CAC nor coronary stenosis when adjusting for cardiovascular risk factors. The results point to a complex interplay between vitamin K and vascular health and the need for more research into the possible role of vitamin K in vascular health.