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Vitamin K intake and status are low in hemodialysis patients.

Kidney international (2012-06-01)
Ellen C M Cranenburg, Leon J Schurgers, Herma H Uiterwijk, Joline W J Beulens, Gerdien W Dalmeijer, Ralf Westerhuis, Elke J Magdeleyns, Marjolein Herfs, Cees Vermeer, Gozewijn D Laverman
ABSTRACT

Vitamin K is essential for the activity of γ-carboxyglutamate (Gla)-proteins including matrix Gla28 protein and osteocalcin; an inhibitor of vascular calcification and a bone matrix protein, respectively. Insufficient vitamin K intake leads to the production of non-carboxylated, inactive proteins and this could contribute to the high risk of vascular calcification in hemodialysis patients. To help resolve this, we measured vitamin K(1) and K(2) intake (4-day food record), and the vitamin K status in 40 hemodialysis patients. The intake was low in these patients (median 140 μg/day), especially on days of dialysis and the weekend as compared to intakes reported in a reference population of healthy adults (mean K(1) and K(2) intake 200 μg/day and 31 μg/day, respectively). Non-carboxylated bone and coagulation proteins were found to be elevated in 33 hemodialysis patients, indicating subclinical hepatic vitamin K deficiency. Additionally, very high non-carboxylated matrix Gla28 protein levels, endemic to all patients, suggest vascular vitamin K deficiency. Thus, compared to healthy individuals, hemodialysis patients have a poor overall vitamin K status due to low intake. A randomized controlled trial is needed to test whether vitamin K supplementation reduces the risk of arterial calcification and mortality in hemodialysis patients.

MATERIALS
Product Number
Brand
Product Description

Supelco
Phylloquinone (K1), analytical standard
Pricing and availability is not currently available.
Supelco
Phytonadione, Pharmaceutical Secondary Standard; Certified Reference Material
Pricing and availability is not currently available.
Sigma-Aldrich
Vitamin K1, BioXtra, ≥99.0% (sum of isomers, HPLC), mixture of isomers
Pricing and availability is not currently available.
Sigma-Aldrich
Vitamin K1, viscous liquid
Pricing and availability is not currently available.
Phytomenadione, European Pharmacopoeia (EP) Reference Standard
Pricing and availability is not currently available.