Vitamin K and CAD

 Q: What role Vitamin K plays in coronary vessels?

Answer: Vitamin K plays many essential roles in the human body. Some of these roles are less known. Overall, it plays four major roles in the human body 

1. It is necessary for the activation of coagulation factors VII, IX, X, and prothrombin. 
2. It is required for the activation of proteins C and S 
3. It helps in bone mineralization and prevents osteoporosis
4. It helps to prevent coronary vascular calcification

An active form of Matrix Gla protein plays an essential part in preventing coronary vascular calcification. It requires Vitamin K for its carboxylation. Decrease matrix Gla protein activity leads to vascular calcification and may lead to coronary artery disease (CAD).

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References:

1. Beulens JW, Bots ML, Atsma F, et al. High dietary menaquinone intake is associated with reduced coronary calcification. Atherosclerosis 2009; 203:489. 

2. Shioi A, Morioka T, Shoji T, Emoto M. The Inhibitory Roles of Vitamin K in Progression of Vascular Calcification. Nutrients. 2020;12(2):583. Published 2020 Feb 23. doi:10.3390/nu12020583

3. Shea MK, O'Donnell CJ, Hoffmann U, Dallal GE, Dawson-Hughes B, Ordovas JM, Price PA, Williamson MK, Booth SL. Vitamin K supplementation and progression of coronary artery calcium in older men and women. Am J Clin Nutr. 2009 Jun;89(6):1799-807. doi: 10.3945/ajcn.2008.27338. Epub 2009 Apr 22. PMID: 19386744; PMCID: PMC2682995.