vitamin k and atherosclerosis

Cardiovascular calcification is a multifactorial and complex process involving an array of molecular mechanisms eventually leading to calcium deposition within the arterial walls. This process increases arterial stiffness, decreases elasticity, influences shear stress events and is related to an increased risk of morbidity and mortality associated with cardiovascular disease. In numerous in vivo and in vitro models, warfarin therapy has been shown to cause vascular calcification in the arterial wall. However, the exact mechanisms of calcification formation with warfarin remain largely unknown, although several molecular pathways have been identified...

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Matrix Gla protein (MGP) is an inhibitor of calcification that requires carboxylation by vitamin K for activity. The inactive form of MGP, dephosphorylated-uncarboxylated matrix Gla protein (dp-ucMGP), has been associated with increased calcification. However, it is not known whether there is a longitudinal relationship between dephosphorylated-uncarboxylated matrix Gla protein levels and coronary and aortic calcification in large population cohorts. METHODS: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) followed participants with serial cardiac computed tomography (CT) measures of vascular calcification...

Cell death and the efficient removal of dead cells are two basic mechanisms that maintain homeostasis in multicellular organisms. efferocytosis, which includes four steps recruitment, recognition, binding and signaling, and engulfment. Effectively and quickly removes apoptotic cells from the body. Any alteration in efferocytosis can lead to several diseases, including autoimmune and inflammatory conditions, atherosclerosis, and cancer. A wide range of dietary components affects apoptosis and, subsequently, efferocytosis...

Vitamin K (VK) comprises a group of substances with chlorophyll quinone bioactivity and exists in nature in the form of VK1 and VK2. As its initial recognition originated from the ability to promote blood coagulation, it is known as the coagulation vitamin. However, based on extensive research, VK has shown potential for the prevention and treatment of various diseases. Studies demonstrating the beneficial effects of VK on immunity, antioxidant capacity, intestinal microbiota regulation, epithelial development, and bone protection have drawn growing interest in recent years...

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Assessing the relationship between vitamin K1 intakes, using region-specific food databases, with both all-cause, and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality warrants further investigation to inform future preventative strategies. Consequently, we examined the aforementioned associations in the Perth Longitudinal Study of Ageing Women (PLSAW). METHODS AND RESULTS: 1436 community-dwelling older Australian women (mean ± SD age 75...

Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is presented in various forms, including classic PHPT, characterised by increased parathyroid hormone (PTH) secretion, normohormonal PHPT, and normocalcaemic PHPT. Secondary hyperparathyroidism is characterised by increased PTH secretion triggered by factors such as vitamin D deficiency and kidney failure. This review aims to discuss the involvement of hyperparathyroidism (HPT) in atherosclerosis, including peripheral arterial disease (PAD). The increased level of PTH is involved in developing subclinical and overt vascular diseases, encompassing endothelial dysfunction, vascular stiffness, hypertension, and coronary and peripheral arterial diseases...

The observation that the extent of artery calcification correlates with the degree of atherosclerosis was the background for the alternative treatment of cardiovascular disease with chelator ethylenediamine tetraacetate (EDTA). Recent studies have indicated that such chelation treatment has only marginal impact on the course of vascular disease. In contrast, endogenous calcium chelation with removal of calcium from the cardiovascular system paralleled by improved bone mineralization exerted, i.e., by matrix Gla protein (MGP) and osteocalcin, appears to significantly delay the development of cardiovascular diseases...

Natto, known for its high vitamin K content, has been demonstrated to suppress atherosclerosis in large-scale clinical trials through a yet-unknown mechanism. In this study, we used a previously reported mouse model, transplanting the bone marrow of mice expressing infra-red fluorescent protein (iRFP) into LDLR-deficient mice, allowing unique and non-invasive observation of foam cells expressing iRFP in atherosclerotic lesions. Using 3 natto strains, we meticulously examined the effects of varying vitamin K levels on atherosclerosis in these mice...

Patients with advanced chronic kidney disease and those already on dialysis have an increased prevalence of cardiovascular calcifications. They are the cause of severe complications and are associated with a reduced life expectancy in these patients. Recommendations and imaging scores have been developed to detect and assess their importance, to guide and improve the management of cardiovascular risk. However, despite these recommendations, current practice teaches us that they are only partially applied. The prevention and treatment of cardiovascular calcifications go through the correction of classic risk factors associated with atherosclerosis, mineral and bone metabolism disorders and by optimizing the dose and the efficiency of dialysis...

Atherosclerosis is a major instigator of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and a main cause of global morbidity and mortality. The high prevalence of CVD calls for urgent attention to possible preventive measures in order to curb its incidence. Traditional risk factors of atherosclerosis, like age, smoking, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, hypertension and chronic inflammation, are under extensive investigation. However, these only account for around 50% of the etiology of atherosclerosis, mandating a search for different or overlooked risk factors...

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Experimental studies suggested that vitamin K supplementation may retard arterial calcification. Recently, serum calcification propensity time (T50 ) has been suggested as a functional biomarker for arterial wall calcification propensity. In this post-hoc analysis of a clinical trial, we evaluated the effect of six-month oral vitamin K supplementation on T50 and assessed the correlation between T50 and imaging arterial calcification parameters in people with type 2 diabetes (T2DM)...

Patients with advanced chronic kidney disease and those already on dialysis have an increased prevalence of cardiovascular calcifications. They are the cause of severe complications and are associated with a reduced life expectancy in these patients. Recommendations and imaging scores have been developed to detect and assess their importance, to guide and improve the management of cardiovascular risk. However, despite these recommendations, current practice teaches us that they are only partially applied. The prevention and treatment of cardiovascular calcifications go through the correction of classic risk factors associated with atherosclerosis, mineral and bone metabolism disorders and by optimizing the dose and the efficiency of dialysis...

Cardiovascular (CV) disease (CVD) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality world-wide, thus it is important to adopt preventive interventions. Observational data demonstrating CV benefits of vitamin supplements, advanced by self-proclaimed experts have resulted in ~50% of Americans reporting the use of multivitamins for health promotion; this practice has led to a multi-billion-dollar business of the multivitamin-industry. However, the data on the extensive use of multivitamins show no consistent benefit for CVD prevention or all-cause mortality, while the use of certain vitamins might prove harmful...

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major cause of morbidity/mortality world-wide, hence preventive interventions are crucial. Observational data showing beneficial CV-effects of vitamin supplements, promoted by self-proclaimed experts, have led to ~50% of Americans using multivitamins; this practice has culminated into a multi-billion-dollar business. However, robust evidence is lacking, and certain vitamins might incur harm. This two-part review focuses on the attributes or concerns about specific vitamin consumption on CVD...

Although the incidence of restenosis and stent thrombosis has substantially declined during the last decades, they still constitute the two major causes of stent failure. These complications are partially attributed to the currently used cytostatic drugs, which can cause local inflammation, delay or prevent re-endothelialization and essentially cause arterial cell toxicity. Retinoic acid (RA), a vitamin A (retinol) derivative, is a naturally occurring substance used for the treatment of cell proliferation disorders...

BACKGROUND: Radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (r-axSpA) is one of the most common chronic inflammatory rheumatic diseases, affecting about 0.2% of the Swedish population. Adequate nutritional intake is essential for maintaining physiological functions. A poor diet increases the risk of developing conditions such as obesity, osteoporosis, and/or atherosclerosis. Diet quality is also theorized to affect systemic inflammation. Dietary habits in patients with r-axSpA are largely unknown...

AIMS/INTRODUCTION: Peripheral artery disease (PAD) serves as a risk factor for diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs). PAD pathology involves atherosclerosis and impaired immunity. Non-classical monocytes are believed to have an anti-inflammatory role. 1,25-Dihydroxy vitamin D (vitamin D3 ) is claimed to have immune-modulating and lipid-regulating roles. Vitamin D receptor is expressed on monocytes. We aimed to investigate if circulating non-classical monocytes and vitamin D3 were implicated in DFUs associated with PAD...

Chronic kidney disease-associated pruritus (CKD-aP) is a frequent complication, with an estimated prevalence of 24-37% in patients treated with hemodialysis. Its pathophysiology is complex and includes four interrelated axes: accumulation of uremic toxins, peripheral neuropathy, an imbalance in the opioid receptors balance, and abnormal activation of immune cells. This symptom which is associated with impaired quality of life is underestimated by caregivers and underreported by patients. Management is not uniformly codified...

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia worldwide and in recent years the pharmacological approach has been strongly implemented; in Italy, the prescription of the non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants (NOAC) was also extended to General Practitioners (GPs) since 2020. The aim of the present study was to investigate the GPs prescribing behaviour of NOACs. An observational study was performed by using the computerized medical record of 14 GPs in Sicily: patients affected by AF were selected and stratified according to the prescribed antithrombotic drugs...

Health specialists currently suggest low-cholesterol diets, suggesting that cholesterol in the form of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) reduces the risk of chronic atherosclerosis. The large volume of literature describes the biological roles of vitamin E and its application to preventing disease and improving the health and productive performances of farm animals. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of vitamin E (Alpha-tocopherol acetate) supplementation and melatonin implants on biochemical blood, lipid profile and muscle vitamin E content of Awassi male lambs fed by a high and normal diet in Iraq...