Abstract |
Coronary artery calcification (CAC) develops early in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and is a strong and independent predictor of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Arterial calcification is caused by an imbalance in calcification regulatory mechanisms. An important inhibitor of calcification is vitamin K-dependent matrix Gla protein (MGP). Both preclinical and clinical studies have shown that inhibition of the vitamin K-cycle by vitamin K antagonists (VKA) results in elevated uncarboxylated MGP (ucMGP) and subsequently in extensive arterial calcification. This led us to hypothesize that vitamin K supplementation may slow down the progression of calcification. To test this, we designed the VitaK-CAC trial which analyses effects of menaquinone-7 (MK-7) supplementation on progression of CAC. The trial is a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial including patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Patients with a baseline Agatston CAC-score between 50 and 400 will be randomized to an intervention-group (360 microgram MK-7) or a placebo group. Treatment duration will be 24 months. The primary endpoint is the difference in CAC-score progression between both groups. Secondary endpoints include changes in arterial structure and function, and associations with biomarkers. We hypothesize that treatment with MK-7 will slow down or arrest the progression of CAC and that this trial may lead to a treatment option for vascular calcification and subsequent CVD.
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Authors | Liv M Vossen, Leon J Schurgers, Bernard J van Varik, Bas L J H Kietselaer, Cees Vermeer, Johannes G Meeder, Braim M Rahel, Yvonne J M van Cauteren, Ge A Hoffland, Roger J M W Rennenberg, Koen D Reesink, Peter W de Leeuw, Abraham A Kroon |
Journal | Nutrients
(Nutrients)
Vol. 7
Issue 11
Pg. 8905-15
(Oct 28 2015)
ISSN: 2072-6643 [Electronic] Switzerland |
PMID | 26516910
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Chemical References |
- Calcium-Binding Proteins
- Extracellular Matrix Proteins
- Vitamins
- matrix Gla protein
- Vitamin K 2
- menaquinone 7
- Calcium
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Topics |
- Adult
- Arteries
(drug effects, metabolism, pathology)
- Calcium
(metabolism)
- Calcium-Binding Proteins
(metabolism)
- Clinical Protocols
- Coronary Artery Disease
(drug therapy, metabolism, pathology)
- Dietary Supplements
- Disease Progression
- Double-Blind Method
- Extracellular Matrix Proteins
(metabolism)
- Humans
- Research Design
- Vascular Calcification
(drug therapy)
- Vitamin K 2
(analogs & derivatives, pharmacology, therapeutic use)
- Vitamins
(pharmacology, therapeutic use)
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