Comparative study evaluating the effect of the administration of vitamin K1 versus placebo on vascular calcification in Haemodialysis patients

Abstract

Cardiovascular calcification is a risk factor and contributor to morbidity and mortality in End stage kidney disease patients. Cardiovascular calcification is most likely due to an imbalance of promoters (e.g. Calcium and phosphate) and inhibitors (e.g. fetuin-A and matrix Gla protein) (Schlieper et al., 2015). Vitamin K functions as an enzyme cofactor for the carboxylation of vitamin K–dependent proteins involved in many physiological processes, including vascular calcification. Although various vitamin K–dependent proteins have been identified in vascular tissue and have also been implicated in arterial calcification and CVD, the most studied is matrix gla protein (MGP) (Tesfamariam 2019).