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Neofytou IE, Stamou A, Demopoulos A, Roumeliotis S, Zebekakis P, Liakopoulos V, Stamellou E, Dounousi E. Vitamin K for Vascular Calcification in Kidney Patients: Still Alive and Kicking, but Still a Lot to Learn. Nutrients 2024; 16:1798. [PMID: 38931153 PMCID: PMC11206649 DOI: 10.3390/nu16121798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2024] [Revised: 06/03/2024] [Accepted: 06/05/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) suffer disproportionately from a high burden of cardiovascular disease, which, despite recent scientific advances, remains partly understood. Vascular calcification (VC) is the result of an ongoing process of misplaced calcium in the inner and medial layers of the arteries, which has emerged as a critical contributor to cardiovascular events in CKD. Beyond its established role in blood clotting and bone health, vitamin K appears crucial in regulating VC via vitamin K-dependent proteins (VKDPs). Among these, the matrix Gla protein (MGP) serves as both a potent inhibitor of VC and a valuable biomarker (in its inactive form) for reflecting circulating vitamin K levels. CKD patients, especially in advanced stages, often present with vitamin K deficiency due to dietary restrictions, medications, and impaired intestinal absorption in the uremic environment. Epidemiological studies confirm a strong association between vitamin K levels, inactive MGP, and increased CVD risk across CKD stages. Based on the promising results of pre-clinical data, an increasing number of clinical trials have investigated the potential benefits of vitamin K supplementation to prevent, delay, or even reverse VC, but the results have remained inconsistent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioannis Eleftherios Neofytou
- 2nd Department of Nephrology, AHEPA Hospital, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54636 Thessaloniki, Greece; (I.E.N.); (A.S.); (A.D.); (V.L.)
| | - Aikaterini Stamou
- 2nd Department of Nephrology, AHEPA Hospital, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54636 Thessaloniki, Greece; (I.E.N.); (A.S.); (A.D.); (V.L.)
| | - Antonia Demopoulos
- 2nd Department of Nephrology, AHEPA Hospital, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54636 Thessaloniki, Greece; (I.E.N.); (A.S.); (A.D.); (V.L.)
| | - Stefanos Roumeliotis
- 2nd Department of Nephrology, AHEPA Hospital, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54636 Thessaloniki, Greece; (I.E.N.); (A.S.); (A.D.); (V.L.)
| | - Pantelis Zebekakis
- 1st Department of Internal Medicine, AHEPA Hospital, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54636 Thessaloniki, Greece;
| | - Vassilios Liakopoulos
- 2nd Department of Nephrology, AHEPA Hospital, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54636 Thessaloniki, Greece; (I.E.N.); (A.S.); (A.D.); (V.L.)
| | - Eleni Stamellou
- Department of Nephrology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece; (E.S.); (E.D.)
- Division of Nephrology and Clinical Immunology, RWTH Aachen University, 52062 Aachen, Germany
| | - Evangelia Dounousi
- Department of Nephrology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece; (E.S.); (E.D.)
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Fusaro M, Pereira L, Bover J. Current and Emerging Markers and Tools Used in the Diagnosis and Management of Chronic Kidney Disease-Mineral and Bone Disorder in Non-Dialysis Adult Patients. J Clin Med 2023; 12:6306. [PMID: 37834950 PMCID: PMC10573159 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12196306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Revised: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a significant public health concern associated with significant morbidity and has become one of the foremost global causes of death in recent years. A frequent comorbidity of CKD is secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT), exemplified by high serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels. The mineral metabolism disturbances resulting from CKD and progression to SHPT are currently considered part of the definition of chronic kidney disease-mineral and bone disorder (CKD-MBD). However, CKD-MBD does not only include abnormalities in laboratory-measured parameters; it is a complex condition characterized by dysregulation of bone turnover, mineralization, growth and strength, accompanied by vascular or another soft-tissue calcification. Together, this increases the risk of bone fractures, cardiovascular disease, and overall mortality in CKD-MBD patients. Monitoring serum markers is essential in diagnosing SHPT and CKD-MBD, and there are several recognized indicators for prognosis, optimal clinical management and treatment response in late-stage kidney disease patients receiving dialysis. However, far fewer markers have been established for patients with non-dialysis CKD. This review provides an overview of current and emerging markers and tools used in the diagnosis and management of CKD-MBD in non-dialysis adult patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Fusaro
- National Research Council (CNR)—Institute of Clinical Physiology (IFC), Via G. Moruzzi 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy
- Department of Medicine, University of Padova, Via Giustiniani, 2, 35128 Padova, Italy
| | - Luciano Pereira
- Institute of Investigation and Innovation in Health, University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- INEB—National Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Porto, 4150-180 Porto, Portugal
- DaVita Kidney Care, 4200-448 Porto, Portugal
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-250 Porto, Portugal
| | - Jordi Bover
- Nephrology Department, University Hospital Germans Trias i Pujol (HGiTP), 08916 Barcelona, Spain
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Role of Vitamin K in Chronic Kidney Disease: A Focus on Bone and Cardiovascular Health. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23095282. [PMID: 35563672 PMCID: PMC9099759 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23095282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Revised: 05/07/2022] [Accepted: 05/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is commonly associated with vitamin K deficiency. Some of the serious complications of CKD are represented by cardiovascular disease (CVD) and skeletal fragility with an increased risk of morbidity and mortality. A complex pathogenetic link between hormonal and ionic disturbances, bone tissue and metabolism alterations, and vascular calcification (VC) exists and has been defined as chronic kidney disease–mineral and bone disorder (CKD-MBD). Poor vitamin K status seems to have a key role in the progression of CKD, but also in the onset and advance of both bone and cardiovascular complications. Three forms of vitamin K are currently known: vitamin K1 (phylloquinone), vitamin K2 (menaquinone), and vitamin K3 (menadione). Vitamin K plays different roles, including in activating vitamin K-dependent proteins (VKDPs) and in modulating bone metabolism and contributing to the inhibition of VC. This review focuses on the biochemical and functional characteristics of vitamin K vitamers, suggesting this nutrient as a possible marker of kidney, CV, and bone damage in the CKD population and exploring its potential use for promoting health in this clinical setting. Treatment strategies for CKD-associated osteoporosis and CV disease should include vitamin K supplementation. However, further randomized clinical studies are needed to assess the safety and the adequate dosage to prevent these CKD complications.
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