Circulating uncarboxylated matrix Gla protein, a marker of vitamin K status, as a risk factor of cardiovascular disease.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:

Vitamin K plays a pivotal role in the synthesis of Matrix Gla protein (MGP), a calcification inhibitor in vascular tissue. Vascular calcification has become an important predictor of cardiovascular disease. The aim of the current study was to examine the potential association of circulating desphospho-carboxylated and -uncarboxylated MGP (dp-cMGP and dp-ucMGP), reflecting vitamin K status, with the incidence of cardiovascular events and disease (CVD) in older individuals.

STUDY DESIGN:

The study was conducted in 577 community-dwelling older men and women of the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam (LASA), aged >55 year, who were free of cardiovascular disease at baseline. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards models were used to analyze the data.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:

Incidence of CVD.

RESULTS:

After a mean follow-up of 5.6±1.2 year, we identified 40 incident cases of CVD. After adjustment for classical confounders and vitamin D status, we observed a more than 2-fold significantly higher risk of CVD for the highest tertile of dp-ucMGP with a HR of 2.69 (95% CI, 1.09-6.62) as compared with the lowest tertile. Plasma dp-cMGP was not associated with the risk of CVD.

CONCLUSIONS:

Vitamin K insufficiency, as assessed by high plasma dp-ucMGP concentrations is associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular disease independent of classical risk factors and vitamin D status. Larger epidemiological studies on dp-ucMGP and CVD incidence are needed followed by clinical trials to test whether vitamin K-rich diets will lead to a decreased risk for cardiovascular events.

• Authors: Ellen G H M van den Heuvel, Natasja M van Schoor, Paul Lips, Elke J P Magdeleyns, Dorly J H Deeg, Cees Vermeer, Martin den Heijer
• Journal: Maturitas (Maturitas) Vol. 77 Issue 2 Pg. 137-41 (Feb 2014) ISSN: 1873-4111 [Electronic] Ireland
• PMID: 24210635 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Biomarkers
• Calcium-Binding Proteins
• Extracellular Matrix Proteins
• matrix Gla protein

Topics

• Biomarkers (blood)
• Calcium-Binding Proteins (blood)
• Cardiovascular Diseases (blood, epidemiology, etiology)
• Extracellular Matrix Proteins (blood)
• Female
• Humans
• Incidence
• Longitudinal Studies
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Netherlands (epidemiology)
• Risk Factors
• Vitamin K Deficiency (blood, complications)