title: Vitamin K and cardiovascular calcification in CKD: is patient supplementation on the horizon?
abstract: The vitamin K-dependent proteins (VKDPs) matrix Gla protein and osteocalcin protect from cardiovascular calcifications and bone fractures. A vitamin K recycling system maintains sufficient vitamin K levels for activation of VKDPs through γ-glutamyl carboxylase (GGCX). Kaesler et al. demonstrate that uremia per se can interfere with GGCX activity, contributing to vitamin K deficiency in chronic kidney disease and opening the path to the clinical use of vitamin K, currently tested in randomized trials.
authors: Nephrology and Dialysis Unit, Ospedale San Carlo Borromeo, Milan, Italy.
authors: Maurizio
authors: M
authors: Gallieni
authors: Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Padua, Italy.
authors: Maria
authors: M
authors: Fusaro
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D008297:Male; D014511:Uremia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism*; D014812:Vitamin K / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D014812:Vitamin K