Vitamin K2-7 decreases arterial stiffness (cleans arteries) – RCT
Menaquinone-7 supplementation improves arterial stiffness in healthy postmenopausal women: double-blind randomised clinical trial
Thrombosis and Haemostasis, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1160/TH14-08-0675
M. H. J. Knapen (1), L. A. J. L. M. Braam (1), N. E. Drummen (1), O. Bekers (2), A. P. G. Hoeks (3), C. Vermeer (1)
(1) VitaK & Cardiovascular Research Institute (CARIM), Maastricht University, The Netherlands; (2) Central Diagnostic Laboratory, University Hospital Maastricht, The Netherlands; (3) Biomedical Engineering, Maastricht University, The Netherlands
Observational data suggest a link between menaquinone (MK, vitamin K2) intake and cardiovascular (CV) health. However, MK intervention trials with vascular endpoints are lacking. We investigated long-term effects of MK-7 ( 180 µg MenaQ7/day) supplementation on arterial stiffness in a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Healthy postmenopausal women (n=244) received either placebo (n=124) or MK-7 (n=120) for three years . Indices of local carotid stiffness (intima-media thickness IMT, Diameter end-diastole and Distension) were measured by echotracking. Regional aortic stiffness (carotid-femoral and carotid-radial Pulse Wave Velocity, cfPWV and crPWV, respectively) was measured using mechanotransducers. Circulating desphospho-uncarboxylated matrix Gla-protein (dp-ucMGP) as well as acute phase markers Interleukin-6 (IL-6), high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP), tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and markers for endothelial dysfunction Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule (VCAM), E-selectin, and Advanced Glycation Endproducts (AGEs) were measured. At baseline dp-ucMGP was associated with IMT, Diameter, cfPWV and with the mean z-scores of acute phase markers (APMscore) and of markers for endothelial dysfunction (EDFscore).
After three year MK-7 supplementation
cfPWV and the Stiffness Index β significantly decreased in the total group, whereas
distension,
compliance,
distensibility,
Young’s Modulus, and the
local carotid PWV (cPWV)
improved in women having a baseline Stiffness Index β above the median of 10.8.
MK-7 decreased dp-ucMGP by 50 % compared to placebo, but did not influence the markers for acute phase and endothelial dysfunction.
In conclusion, long-term use of MK-7 supplements improves arterial stiffness in healthy postmenopausal women, especially in women having a high arterial stiffness.
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Google Scholar has links to 234 papers citing this study as of July 2023
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