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Vitamin K2

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Menaquinones are often referred to as Vitamin K2, which is somewhat misleading given that all menaquinones are not alike in their origin or their function. Menaquinones are primarily of bacterial origin, and differ in structure from phylloquinone (K1) in their 3-substituted lipophilic side chain. The major menaquinones contain 4–10 repeating isoprenoid units indicated by MK-4 to MK-10; forms up to 13 isoprenoid groups have been identified[1].

Menaquinone-4 (MK-4) is unique among the menaquinones in that it is not of bacterial origin. Instead, MK-4 is formed by a realkylation step from Menadione (k3)[2] present in animal feeds or is the product of tissue-specific conversion directly from dietary phylloquinone[3].

Forms

Main article: Vitamin K

All K vitamins are similar in structure: they share a “quinone” ring, but differ in the length and degree of saturation of the carbon tail and the number of “side chains”.[4] The number of side chains is indicated in the name of the particular menaquinone (e.g., MK-4 means that four molecular units - called isoprene units - are attached to the carbon tail) and this influences the transport to different target tissues.

Vitamin K structures. MK-4 and MK-7 are both subtypes of K2.

Mechanism of action

The mechanism of action of vitamin K2 is similar to vitamin K1. Traditionally, K vitamins were recognized as the factor required for coagulation, but the functions performed by this vitamin group were revealed to be much more complex. K vitamins play an essential role as cofactor for the enzyme γ-glutamyl carboxylase, which is involved in vitamin K-dependent carboxylation of the gla domain in "Gla proteins" (i.e., in conversion of peptide-bound glutamic acid (Glu) to γ-carboxy glutamic acid (Gla) in these proteins).

Carboxylation reaction - 'Vitamin K cycle'

Carboxylation of these vitamin K-dependent Gla-proteins, besides being essential for the function of the protein, is also an important vitamin recovery mechanism since it serves as a recycling pathway to recover vitamin K from its epoxide metabolite (KO) for reuse in carboxylation.

Several human Gla-containing proteins synthesized in several different types of tissues have been discovered:

  • Coagulation factors (II, VII, IX, X), as well as anticoagulation proteins (C, S, Z). These Gla-proteins are synthesized in the liver and play an important role in blood homeo-stasis.
  • Osteocalcin. This non-collagenous protein is secreted by osteoblasts and plays an essential role in the formation of mineral in bone.
  • Matrix gla protein (MGP). This calcification inhibitory protein is found in numerous body tissues, but its role is most pronounced in cartilage and in arterial vessel walls.
  • Growth arrest-specific protein 6 (GAS6). GAS6 is secreted by leucocytes and endothelial cells in response to injury and helps in cell survival, proliferation, migration, and adhesion.
  • Proline-rich Gla-proteins (PRGP), transmembrane Gla-proteins (TMG), Gla-rich protein (GRP) and periostin; whose precise functions are still unexplored.

Health effects

Bone density

Vitamin K2 deficiency results in a decreased level of active osteocalcin, which in turn increases the risk for fragile bones.[5][6] Research also showed that vitamin K2, but not K1 in combination with calcium and vitamin D can decrease bone turnover and that vitamin K2 is essential for the maintenance of bone strength in postmenopausal women.[7][8]

The Japanese population seems to be at lower risk for bone fractures compared to European and American citizens. Studies link Japan's greater levels of BMD to that country's widespread consumption of natto. Increased intake of MK-7 from natto seems to result in higher levels of activated osteocalcin and a significant reduction in fracture risk.[9][10][11]

Heart calcification

Patients suffering from osteoporosis were shown to have extensive calcium plaques, which impaired blood flow in the arteries. This simultaneous excess of calcium in one part of the body (arteries), and lack in another (bones) – which may occur even in spite of calcium supplementation – is known as the Calcium Paradox. The underlying reason is vitamin K2 deficiency, which leads to significant impairment in biological function of MGP, the most potent inhibitor of vascular calcification presently known. Animal research showed that vascular calcification might not only be prevented, but even reversed by increasing the daily intake of vitamin K2.[12] The strongly protective effect of K2 and not vitamin K1 on cardiovascular health was confirmed by, among others, Geleijnse et al. in the Rotterdam Study (2004, see Figure 3) performed on a group of 4,800 subjects.[13] Results of more than 10 years of follow-up were verified, also by Gast et al., who demonstrated that among K vitamins, the long-chain types of K2 (MK-7 through MK-9) are the most important for efficiently preventing excessive calcium accumulation in the arteries.[14][15]

Absorption profile of different K vitamins

Vitamin K is absorbed along with dietary fat from the small intestine and transported by chylomicrons in the circulation. Most of vitamin K1 is carried by triacylglycerol-rich lipoproteins (TRL) and rapidly cleared by the liver; only a small amount is released into the circulation and carried by LDL and HDL. MK-4 is carried by the same lipoproteins (TRL, LDL, and HDL) and cleared fast as well. The long-chain menaquinones are absorbed in the same way as vitamin K1 and MK-4, but are efficiently redistributed by the liver in predominantly LDL (VLDL). Since LDL has a long half life in the circulation, these menaquinones can circulate for extended times resulting in higher bioavailability for extra-hepatic tissues as compared to vitamin K1 and MK-4. Accumulation of vitamin K in extra-hepatic tissues has direct relevance to vitamin K functions not related to hemostasis.[16]

Dietary sources and adequate intake

In 2012, Canadian health writer Kate Rhéaume-Bleue suggested the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) for K vitamins (range of 80-120 µg) might be too low.[17] Earlier suggestions in the scientific literature, which note that the RDA is based on hepatic (i.e. related to the liver) requirements only, date back as far as 1998.[18][19] This hypothesis is supported by the fact that the majority of the Western population exhibits a substantial fraction of undercarboxylated extra-hepatic proteins. Thus, complete activation of coagulation factors is satisfied, but there doesn’t seem to be enough vitamin K2 for the carboxylation of osteocalcin in bone and MGP in the vascular system.[20][21] Highest concentrations of vitamin K1 are found in green leafy vegetables, but significant concentrations are also present in non-leafy green vegetables, several vegetable oils, fruits, grains and dairy. In Europe and the USA 60%, or more, of total vitamin K1 intake is provided by vegetables, the majority by green leafy vegetables. National surveys reveal that K1 intakes vary widely. Intakes determined by weighed-dietary Intakes are similar in mainland Britain to the USA with average daily intakes of around 70–80 μg, which is less than the adequate intake for vitamin K. Apart from animal livers, the richest dietary source of long-chain menaquinones are fermented foods (from bacteria not moulds or yeasts) typically represented by cheeses (MK-8, MK-9) in Western diets and natto (MK-7) in Japan. Food frequency questionnaire-derived estimates of relative intakes in the Netherlands suggest that ~90% of total vitamin K intakes are provided by K1, ~7.5 % by MK-5 through to MK-9 and ~ 2.5% by MK-4. Most food assays measure only fully unsaturated menaquinones; accordingly cheeses have been found to contain MK-8 at 10–20 μg/100g and MK-9 at 35–55 μg/100 g.[22]

Dietary intake sources

Natural K2 is found in cheese, curd, animal liver and bacterial fermented foods, like sauerkraut and natto [23]. The MK-4 form of K2 is often found in relatively small quantities in meat and eggs. The richest source of natural K2 is the traditional Japanese dish natto[24] made of fermented soybeans and Bacillus subtilis, which provides an unusually rich source of K2 as long-chain MK-7: its consumption in Northern Japan has been linked to significant improvement in K vitamin's status and bone health in many studies. The intense smell and strong taste, however, make this soyfood a less attractive source of K2 for Westerners' tastes. Supplement food companies sell nattō extract, standardized for K2 content, in capsules.

Anticoagulants and K2 supplementation

Recent studies found a clear association between long-term anticoagulant treatment (OAC) and reduced bone quality due to reduction of active osteocalcin. OAC might lead to an increased incidence of fractures, reduced bone mineral density/bone mineral content, osteopenia, and increased serum levels of undercarboxylated osteocalcin.[25] Bone mineral density was significantly lower in stroke patients with long-term warfarin treatment compared to untreated patients and osteopenia was probably an effect of warfarin-interference with vitamin K recycling.[26] Furthermore, OAC is often linked to an undesired soft-tissue calcification in both children and adults.[27][28] This process has been shown to be dependent upon the action of K vitamins. Vitamin K deficiency results in undercarboxylation of MGP. Vascular calcification was shown to appear in warfarin-treated experimental animals within two weeks.[29] Also in humans on OAC treatment, two-fold more arterial calcification was found as compared to patients not receiving vitamin K antagonists.[30][31] Among consequences of anticoagulant treatment: increased aortic wall stiffness, coronary insufficiency, ischemia, and even heart failure. Arterial calcification might also contribute to systolic hypertension and ventricular hypertrophy.[32][33] Coumarins, by interfering with vitamin K metabolism, might also lead to an excessive calcification of cartilage and tracheobronchial arteries.

Anticoagulant therapy is usually instituted to avoid life-threatening diseases and a high vitamin K intake interferes with the anticoagulant effect. Patients on warfarin (Coumadin) treatment, or treatment with other vitamin K antagonist drugs, are therefore advised not to consume diets rich in K vitamins. However, the latest research proposed to combine vitamins K with OAC to stabilize the INR (International normalized ratio, a laboratory test measure of blood coagulation).

Toxicity

There is no upper toxicity associated with of menaquinones (vitamin K2). Individuals taking anticoagulant medications, such as warfarin (coumarins) should consult their doctor before taking Vitamin K2. All data available at this time demonstrate that vitamin K has no adverse effects in healthy subjects. The recommendations for the daily intake of vitamin K, as issued recently by the Institute of Medicine, also acknowledge the wide safety margin of vitamin K: “A search of the literature revealed no evidence of toxicity associated with the intake of either K1 or K2”. A point of concern is however the potential interference of K vitamins with OAC treatment. Individuals taking anticoagulant medications, such as warfarin (coumarins) should consult their doctor before taking Vitamin K2. Animal models involving rats, if generalizable to humans, show that MK-7 is well-tolerated.[34]

References

  1. ^ http://www.foodandnutritionresearch.net/index.php/fnr/article/view/5505
  2. ^ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Menadione
  3. ^ http://www.foodandnutritionresearch.net/index.php/fnr/article/view/5505
  4. ^ Shearer MJ.2003 in Physiology. Elsevier Sciences LTD. 6039-45.
  5. ^ Booth et al. (July 2, 2013) "Associations between Vitamin K Biochemical Measures and Bone Mineral Density in Men and Women", The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism Vol.89 No.10 pp.4904-9 doi:10.1210/jc.2003-031673
  6. ^ Knapen MH, Nieuwenhuijzen Kruseman AC, Wouters RS, Vermeer C. (Nov 1998) "Correlation of serum osteocalcin fractions with bone mineral density in women during the first 10 years after menopause", Calcified Tissue International Vol.63 No.5 pp.375-9, International Osteoporosis Foundation doi:10.1007/s002239900543
  7. ^ Schurgers LJ,Knapen MH, Vermeer C. Vitamin (March 2007) "K2 supplementation improves hip bone geometry and bone strength indices in postmenopausal women", International Congress Series Vol. 1297 pp. 179-187, Nutritional Aspects of Osteoporosis 2006. Proceedings of the 6th International Symposium on Nutritional Aspects of Osteoporosis, 4–6 May 2006, Lausanne, Switzerland
  8. ^ Knapen MH, Schurgers LJ, Vermeer C. (July 2007) "Vitamin K2 supplementation improves hip bone geometry and bone strength indices in postmenopausal women", Osteoporosis International Vol.18 No.7 pp.963-72 doi:10.1007/s00198-007-0337-9
  9. ^ Yaegashi Y, Onoda T, Tanno K, Kuribayashi T, Sakata K, Orimo H. (March 2008) "Association of hip fracture incidence and intake of calcium, magnesium, vitamin D, and vitamin K", European Journal of Epidemiology Vol. 23, Issue 3, pp 219-225 doi:10.1007/s10654-008-9225-7
  10. ^ Ikeda et al. (May 2006) "Intake of Fermented Soybeans, Natto, is Associated with Reduced Bone Loss in Postmenopausal Women: Japanese Population-Based Osteoporosis (JPOS) Study", J Nutr. Vol.136 No.5 pp.1323-8.
  11. ^ Kaneki et al. (Apr 2001) “Japanese fermented soybean food as the major determinant of the large geographic difference in circulating levels of vitamin K2: possible implications for hip-fracture risk”, Nutrition Vol.17 No.4 pp.315-21
  12. ^ [ Schurgers et al. (April 01, 2007) "Regression of warfarin-induced medial elastocal-cinosis by high intake of K vitamins in rats",] Blood Vol.109 No.7 pp.2823-2831, American Society of Hematology doi:10.1182/blood-2006-07-035345
  13. ^ [ Geleijnse et al. (Nov 1, 2004) "Dietary intake of menaquinone is associated with a reduced risk of coronary heart disease: the Rotterdam Study",] J. Nutr. Vol.134 No.11 pp.3100-3105, The American Society for Nutritional Sciences
  14. ^ [ Gast et al. (Sep 2009) "A high menaquinone reduces the incidence of coronary heart disease in women",] Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases Vol.19 No.7 pp.504–510
  15. ^ [ van Summeren et al. (Oct 2008) "Vitamin K status is associated with childhood bone mineral content",] British Journal of Nutrition Vo.100 No.4 pp.852-858 doi:10.1017/S0007114508921760
  16. ^ Martin J. Shearer, Paul Newman. Metabolism and cell biology of vitamin K. Thromb Haemost 2008
  17. ^ Kate Rhéaume-Bleue, Vitamin K2 and the Calcium Paradox. Mississaugua: Wiley, 2012, p. 74.
  18. ^ Booth SL, Suttie JW. Dietary intake and adequacy of K vitamins. J Nutr. 1998;128(5):785-8.
  19. ^ Schurgers LJ, Vermeer C. Differential lipoprotein transport pathways of K-vitamins in healthy subjects. Biochim Biophys Acta. 2002;1570(1):27-32.
  20. ^ Hofbauer LC, Brueck CC, Shanahan CM, Schoppet M, Dobnig H. Vascular calcification and osteoporosis--from clinical observation towards molecular understanding. Osteoporos Int. 2007;18(3):251-9.
  21. ^ Plantalech L, Guillaumont M, Vergnaud P, Leclercq M, Delmas PD. Impairment of gamma carboxylation of circulating osteocalcin (bone gla protein) in elderly women. J Bone Miner Res. 1991;6(11):1211-6.
  22. ^ Shearer N, Metabolism and cell biology of vitamin K. Thromb Haemost. 2008
  23. ^ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC500743/?page=1
  24. ^ Kaneki M, Hodges SJ, Hosoi T, Fujiwara S, Lyons A, Crean SJ, Ishida N, Nakagawa M, Takechi M, Sano Y, Mizuno Y, Hoshino S, Miyao M, Inoue S, Horiki K, Shiraki M, Ouchi Y, Orimo H; Japanese fermented soybean food as the major determinant of the large geographic difference in circulating levels of K vitamins2: possible implications for hip-fracture risk; Nutrition; 2001; 17(4): 315-321.
  25. ^ Caraballo PJ, Gabriel SE, Castro MR, Atkinson EJ, Melton LJ 3rd. Changes in bone density after exposure to oral anticoagulants: a meta-analysis.Osteoporos Int. 1999;9(5):441-8.
  26. ^ Sato Y, Honda Y, Kunoh H, Oizumi K. Long-term oral anticoagulation reduces bone mass in patients with previous hemispheric infarction and nonrheumatic atrial fibrillation. Stroke. 1997;28(12):2390-4.
  27. ^ Barnes C, Newall F, Ignjatovic V, Wong P, Cameron F, Jones G, Monagle P. Reduced bone density in children on long-term warfarin. Pediatr Res. 2005;57(4):578-81.
  28. ^ Hawkins D, Evans J. Minimising the risk of heparin-induced osteoporosis during pregnancy. Expert Opin Drug Saf. 2005;4(3):583-90
  29. ^ Price PA, Faus SA, Williamson MK. Warfarin causes rapid calcification of the elastic lamellae in rat arteries and heart valves. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 1998;18(9):1400-7.
  30. ^ Schurgers LJ, Aebert H, Vermeer C, Bültmann B, Janzen J. Oral anticoagulant treatment: friend or foe in cardiovascular disease? Blood. 2004 15;104(10):3231-2.
  31. ^ Koos R, Mahnken AH, Mühlenbruch G, Brandenburg V, Pflueger B, Wildberger JE, Kühl HP. Relation of oral anticoagulation to cardiac valvular and coronary calcium assessed by multislice spiral computed tomography. Am J Cardiol. 2005;96(6):747-9.
  32. ^ Zieman SJ, Melenovsky V, Kass DA. Mechanisms, pathophysiology, and therapy of arterial stiffness. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 2005;25(5):932-43.
  33. ^ Raggi P, Shaw LJ, Berman DS, Callister TQ. Prognostic value of coronary artery calcium screening in subjects with and without diabetes. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2004;43(9):1663-9.
  34. ^ Pucaj et al. (Sep 2011) "Safety and toxicological evaluation of a synthetic vitamin K2, menaquinone-7", Toxicology Mechanisms and Methods Vol.21 No.7 pp.520–532
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