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Effect of vitamin K on vascular health and physical function in older people with vascular disease–a randomised controlled trial

  • Published:
The journal of nutrition, health & aging

Abstract

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.

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Abbreviations

BNP:

B-type natriuretic peptide

CRP:

C-reactive protein

Dp-ucMGP:

Desphospho-uncarboxylated Matrix Gla Protein

ECG:

Electrocardiogram

FMD:

Flow mediated dilatation

HPLC:

High performance liquid chromatography

IMT:

intima-media thickness

MGP:

Matrix Gla Protein

PWV:

Pulse wave velocity

RDI:

Recommended daily intake

SBP:

Systolic blood pressure

SPPB:

Short physical performance battery

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Ageing and Health, Mailbox 1, Medical Research Institute, Division of Diabetes and Cardiovascular Medicine, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee, DD1 9SY, UK

    R. L. Fulton, M. E. T. McMurdo, A. D. Struthers, F. Khan & M. D. Witham

  2. Institute of Motion Analysis & Research, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK

    R. J. Abboud & G. P. Arnold

  3. VitaK, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands

    C. Vermeer, M. H. J. Knapen & N. E. A. Drummen

Authors
  1. R. L. Fulton
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  2. M. E. T. McMurdo
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  3. A. Hill
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  4. R. J. Abboud
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  5. G. P. Arnold
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  6. A. D. Struthers
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  7. F. Khan
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  8. C. Vermeer
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  9. M. H. J. Knapen
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  10. N. E. A. Drummen
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  11. M. D. Witham
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Correspondence to R. L. Fulton.

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Fulton, R.L., McMurdo, M.E.T., Hill, A. et al. Effect of vitamin K on vascular health and physical function in older people with vascular disease–a randomised controlled trial. J Nutr Health Aging 20, 325–333 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12603-015-0619-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12603-015-0619-4

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