title: Vitamin K plasma levels determination in human health.
abstract: Vitamin K (phylloquinone or vitamin K1 and menaquinones or vitamin K2) plays an important role as a cofactor in the synthesis of hepatic blood coagulation proteins, but recently has also aroused an increasing interest for its action in extra-hepatic tissues, in particular in the regulation of bone and vascular metabolism. The accurate measurement of vitamin K status in humans is still a critical issue. Along with indirect assays, such as the undercarboxylated fractions of vitamin K-dependent proteins [prothrombin, osteocalcin (OC), and matrix gla protein], the direct analysis of blood levels of phylloquinone and menaquinones forms might be considered a more informative and direct method for assessing vitamin K status. Different methods for direct quantification of vitamin K serum levels are available. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) methods coupled with post-column reduction procedures and fluorimetric or electrochemical detection are commonly used for food and blood analysis of phylloquinone, but they show some limitations when applied to the analysis of serum menaquinones because of interferences from triglycerides. Recent advancements include liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LCMS/MS) detection, which assures higher specificity. The optimization and standardization of these methods requires specialized laboratories. The variability of results observed in the available studies suggests the need for further investigations to obtain more accurate analytical results.
authors.affiliation: National Research Council (CNR) - Institute of Clinical Physiology (IFC), Pisa Via G. Moruzzi 1, 56124, Pisa, PI.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fusaro
authors.affiliation: Nephrology and Dialysis Unit, Ospedale San Carlo Borromeo, Department of Clinical and Biomedical Sciences "Luigi Sacco", University of Milan, Milan.
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gallieni
authors.affiliation: Nephrology and Dialysis Unit, Ospedale di Circolo di Busto Arsizio, ASST Valle Olona.
authors.forename: Maria Antonietta
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Rizzo
authors.affiliation: Nephrology and Dialysis Unit, IRCCS Multimedica, Sesto San Giovanni (Milano), Milan.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Stucchi
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephrology, Dialysis, and Transplantation, University of Liège, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire du Sart Tilman (ULg CHU), Liège.
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Delanaye
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Chemistry, University of Liège, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire du Sart Tilman, Liège.
authors.forename: Etienne
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cavalier
authors.affiliation: Universidade Nove de Julho, UNINOVE, São Paulo.
authors.forename: Rosa M A
authors.initials: RMA
authors.lastname: Moysés
authors.affiliation: Universidade de Sao Paulo, São Paulo.
authors.forename: Vanda
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Jorgetti
authors.affiliation: Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Council of Research, Pisa.
authors.forename: Giorgio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Iervasi
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Clinica Medica 1, University of Padova, Padova.
authors.forename: Sandro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Giannini
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Clinica Medica 1, University of Padova, Padova.
authors.forename: Fabrizio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Fabris
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Clinica Medica 1, University of Padova, Padova.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Aghi
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Clinica Medica 1, University of Padova, Padova.
authors.forename: Stefania
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sella
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Perugia.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Galli
authors.affiliation: Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Policlinico Tor Vergata, Rome.
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Viola
authors.affiliation: Laboratory Medicine Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Padova, Padova.
authors.forename: Mario
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0270-1711
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Plebani
mesh_terms: D001774:Blood Chemical Analysis / Q000379:methods*; D006262:Health; D006801:Humans; D014812:Vitamin K / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D014812:Vitamin K
keywords: human health; metabolism; plasma levels; vitamin K