Vit K could protect against inflammation

[Guest guest]

Study reports that both blood levels and dietary intakes of K1 were

associated with decreased levels of 14 inflammatory markers.

" Our findings provide one potential alternative mechanism for a

putative protective effect of vitamin K in the progression of

cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis, since both diseases are

characterized by inflammation. . . . "

+++++++++++++++++++++++++

link:

http://www.nutraingredients.com/news/ng.asp?n=81785 & m=1NIED03 & c=lqeudkujayvvlpc

full text:

Study gives vitamin K anti-inflammation boost

By ls

03/12/2007- Increased intake of vitamin K1, and to a lesser extend

vitamin D, could protect against inflammation, and positively effect

chronic disease risk, suggests a new observational study.

The study, published on-line in the American Journal of Epidemiology,

adds to in vitro data supporting benefits for the vitamins against

inflammation, brought about by an over-expression or lack of control

of the normal protective mechanism. Chronic inflammation has been

linked to range of conditions linked to heart disease, osteoporosis,

cognitive decline and Alzheimer's, and type-2 diabetes.

" Our findings provide one potential alternative mechanism for a

putative protective effect of vitamin K in the progression of

cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis, since both diseases are

characterized by inflammation, " wrote lead author Kyla Shea from the

Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging, Tufts

University.

Using data from 1,381 participants in the Framingham Offspring Study

(average age 59, 52 per cent women), the researchers analysed vitamin

K status using blood concentrations and dietary intake of

phylloquinone (vitamin K1), and vitamin D, and related this to markers

of inflammation.

Shea and co-workers report that both blood levels and dietary intakes

of K1 were associated with decreased levels of 14 inflammatory markers.

Secondary analysis, factoring in the exclusion of people with heart

disease, also showed increased vitamin K intake was related to

reductions in several specific biomarkers, such as CD40 ligand (15 per

cent reduction), intracellular adhesion molecule-1 concentration

(three per cent), interleukin-6 concentration (eight per cent), serum

osteoprotegerin concentration (four per cent), tumor necrosis factor

receptor-2 (four per cent).

The inverse associations were statistically significant after

adjusting for various confounding factors, such as age, sex, BMI,

aspirin use, statins, season (for vitamin D status), and whether the

female participants were post-menopausal and prescribed hormone

replacement therapy.

For vitamin D, Shea and co-workers report that increased levels of

plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D, the inactive storage form of the vitamin,

were linked to lower levels of urinary isoprostane, reportedly a

marker of oxidative stress.

However, other association s between vitamin D status and levels of

inflammation were described by the researchers as " inconsistent " .

" The current study expanded our knowledge of this putative role of

vitamin K because our panel consisted of 14 biomarkers of

inflammation, many of which have not been previously studied with

respect to vitamin K, " wrote the researchers.

Concerning the potential mechanisms by which vitamin K influences

inflammation biomarkers are not known, said the researchers. There is

some suggestion, they added, that vitamin K's role is by decreasing

the gene expression for individual cytokines, like interleukin-6 and

osteoprotegerin.

" Limited in vitro data support the inverse association between vitamin

K and interleukin-6, and this may influence the association between

vitamin K and other cytokines, such as osteoprotegerin, " wrote the

researchers.

" Further research to better elucidate mechanisms underlying the

associations between vitamin K and inflammatory cytokines is

warranted, " they concluded.

The biomarkers of inflammation studied included: C-reactive protein

(CRP), CD40 ligand, P-selectin, osteoprotegerin, tumor necrosis

factor-a, tumor necrosis factor receptor-2, intercellular adhesion

molecule-1, interleukin-6 (IL-6), monocyte chemo-attractant protein,

myeloperoxidase, urinary isoprostanes, fibrinogen, and lipoprotein

phospholipase A2.

There are two main forms of vitamin K: phylloquinone, also known as

phytonadione, (vitamin K1) and menaquinones (vitamins K2). K1 is found

in green leafy vegetables such as lettuce, broccoli and spinach, and

makes up about 90 per cent of the vitamin K in a typical Western diet;

while K2, which makes up about 10 per cent of Western vitamin K

consumption and can be synthesised in the gut by microflora.

Menaquinones (MK-n: with the n determined by the number of prenyl side

chains) can also be found in the diet; MK-4 can be found in animal

meat, MK-7, MK-8, and MK-9 are found in fermented food products like

cheese, and natto is a rich source of MK-7.

MK-4 is distinct from other MKs because it is not a major constituent

of the spectrum of MKs produced by gut microflora, but can be derived

from K1 in vivo.

A synthetic form of vitamin K, known as K3, does exist but is not

recommended for human consumption.

The vitamin is less well known than vitamins A to E, but this

increasing body of research, as well as increased marketing and

advertising from supplement makers, is raising public awareness of

vitamin K.

Source: American Journal of Epidemiology

Published on-line ahead of print, doi:10.1093/aje/kwm306

" Vitamin K and Vitamin D Status: Associations with Inflammatory

Markers in the Framingham Offspring Study "

Authors: M.K. Shea, S.L. Booth, J.M. Massaro, P.F. Jacques, R.B.

D'Agostino Sr, B. Dawson-, J.M. Ordovas, C.J. O'Donnell, S.

Kathiresan, J.F. Keaney Jr, R.S. Vasan, and E.J.