title: Vitamin K: key vitamin in controlling vascular calcification in chronic kidney disease.
abstract: Vascular calcification has emerged as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, especially in chronic kidney disease. Deficiencies in calcium-regulatory proteins directly relate to development of calcifications. McCabe and colleagues report that vitamin K is a key regulator of vascular calcification, via carboxylation of vitamin K-dependent proteins such as matrix Gla protein. Knowledge about vitamin K status may propel therapeutic strategies to prevent and treat vascular calcification with high vitamin K supplementation.
authors: Department of Biochemistry, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, Maastricht, The Netherlands. l.schurgers@maastrichtuniversity.nl
authors: Leon J
authors: LJ
authors: Schurgers
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000633:toxicity*; D001158:Arteries / Q000187:drug effects*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D008297:Male; D051436:Renal Insufficiency, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D061205:Vascular Calcification / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010837:Vitamin K 1 / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014859:Warfarin / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D014859:Warfarin; D010837:Vitamin K 1