Transplant Patients Could See Boost From Vitamin K
Lee Swanson Research Update
According to findings published in the journal Transplantation, a 180 mcg dose of vitamin K2 (menaquinone-7) was found to improve bone mineral density (BMD) at the lumbar spine region in people following heart or lung transplants.
"The results suggest that dietary supplementation with menaquinone-7 could have a favorable effect on bone mass, for bone mineral density more in the heart than the lung recipients, whereas for bone mineral content only in the lung recipients," wrote the researchers, led by Liv Forli from Oslo University Hospital.
On the other hand, the researchers noted increases in levels of a hormone called parathyroid hormone (PTH), which is a marker of vitamin D status. This indicated a greater need for vitamin D in these patients, added the researchers.
"The results are suggestive, and further studies are needed before vitamin K2 treatment can be generally recommended in clinical practice," wrote Forli and co-workers.
Osteoporosis is characterized by low bone mass, which leads to an increased risk of fractures, especially in the hips, spine and wrists. An estimated 75 million people suffer from osteoporosis in the USA, Europe and Japan. Women are four times more likely to develop osteoporosis than men.
The Norwegian researchers note that osteoporosis is a problem after transplantation, and results of the new study indicate that vitamin K2 may have a beneficial role.
The study included 35 lung and 59 heart recipients. The participants were randomly assigned to receive either vitamin K2 supplements or placebo for one year. At the end of the study, BMD in the lumbar spine increased by 0.028 g/cm and bone mineral content increased by 1.33 g/cm.
The researchers also noted that many people in both groups had insufficient vitamin D levels, particularly in the K2 group "indicating a higher need for vitamin D," they added.
"One year of vitamin K2 supplementation suggests a favorable effect on lumbar spine BMD with different response in lung and heart recipients," wrote the researchers. "Vitamin D status should receive more attention," they concluded.
Transplantation 89(4):458-464, 2010
April 2010