Since we often post reminders about the importance of making sure that circulating calcium is directed to bones for functionality and not incorporated into soft tissue areas such as arteries or heart tissue, the following reports about recent research from the University of Maastricht …originators of all the related info on the importance of using the useful form of Vitamin K2 - ie, Menaquinone 7 aka K2 MK7, are important observations since it confirms once again that using K2 MK7 helps eliminate existing calcifications and prevent new deposition. Just FYI. Note the higher dosing.
Jackie
MenaQ7 PURE Vitamin K2 shown to Protect Cardiovascular Muscle Damage Against Calcification in New study
Sep 3, 2015
Nutrients , an international, peer-reviewed journal for studies related to Human Nutrition, has approved for publication in September 2015 a new study showing the protective effect inhibiting muscle damage from calcification of Vitamin K2 as MK-7 (menaquinone-7; MenaQ7® PURE provided by NattoPharma) supplementation on cardiovascular calcification.
The study,
“High-Dose Menaquinone-7 Supplementation Reduces Cardiovascular Calcification in a Murine Model of Extraosseous Calcification,” is significant because it adds to the substantial body of evidence demonstrating the cardiovascular benefits of Vitamin K2 as MK-7, lending further understanding to the mechanism by which it inhibits calcification damage to cardiovascular muscle.
“Cardiovascular calcification is prevalent in the aging population and in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and diabetes mellitus, giving rise to substantial morbidity and mortality,” says Dr. Leon Schurgers, associate professor and senior scientist at the department of biochemistry, the Cardiovascular Research Institute CARIM of University of Maastricht (The Netherlands), and lead researcher on the study. “The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of high-dose MK-7 supplementation on the development of cardiovascular calcification and the impact on cardiovascular function in a murine model of chronic kidney disease characterized by extraosseous calcification.”
As it is well documented that kidney disease patients frequently suffer cardiovascular complications like calcification of the aorta and coronary arteries, the scientists applied an in-vivo rat model system for kidney disease.
The animals were divided into four groups: Two control groups with intact kidneys and on standard diet with respect to content of Phosphate and Calcium ± supplementation with 100µg Vitamin K2 as MK-7 (MenaQ7 ® PURE from NattoPharma)/g; and two treatment groups where 5/6 of their kidneys were removed (mimicking kidney patients) receiving a diet with high content of both Phosphate and Calcium ± supplementation with 100µg MK-7/g.
After 12 weeks, the animals were examined for calcification of the aorta, the myocardium, and in kidneys, as well as for certain other changes in the tissues. Using a sensitive technique for arterial calcification (atomic absorption spectroscopy), this study shows that high-dose MK-7 inhibits calcification in aorta and in the myocardium – parts of the arterial bed most often affected in kidney patients. MK-7 also normalized the kidney disease-induced high serum phosphate level.
Interestingly, a 10-fold increase in matrix Gla protein (MGP) gene expression in the MK-7 supplemented animals was recorded. According to the authors, this is the first time that MK-7 has been shown to affect the synthesis of MGP in the vascular wall – and not only locally in the arterial wall. This indicates an increased amount of MGP available for activation to inhibit calcification.
The researchers stated that MK-7 supplementation inhibited cardiovascular calcification and decreased aortic alkaline phosphate tissue concentrations. The effect of MK-7 was – at least in part – mediated via MGP and subsequent inhibition of ectopic calcification. Since vitamin K has no reported side effects, it seems a promising therapeutic agent for CKD patients, the researchers concluded.
“NattoPharma has enjoyed a long-standing R&D program with the University of Maastricht and CARIM with the specific goal of understanding and validating the benefits of Vitamin K2 as MK-7 for human health,” says Hogne Vik, NattoPharma CEO. “This study is monumental because it shows that our MenaQ7 Vitamin K2 protected smooth muscle cells from calcification. Being able to provide the researchers with our new nature-identical MenaQ7 PURE to add to our growing body of clinical validation marks a true milestone for us.”
To view the new study in Nutrients, visit [
www.mdpi.com].
Second report
Released: 04/04/18
NEW MENAQ7® VITAMIN K2 HUMAN STUDY IN AORTIC CALCIFICATION IN LEADING JOURNAL NUTRIENTS
Protocol shows Vitamin K2 treatment on imaging measurements of existing calcification
Oslo, Norway and Edison, NJ (April 4, 2018) — NattoPharma is excited to announce that Nutrients has published a new paper, "Bicuspid Aortic Valve Stenosis and the Effect of Vitamin K2 on Calcification Using 18F-Sodium Fluoride Positron Emission Tomography/Magnetic Resonance: The BASIK2 Rationale and Trial Design", which examines the benefits of MenaQ7® Vitamin K2 as MK-7 for patients with existing calcification.
Being conducted by the expert researchers at Maastricht University Medical Center and CARIM, the double-blind placebo-controlled study will randomize subjects into intervention and control groups, receiving an oral dose of 360 micrograms (mcg) menaquinone-7 (MK-7) or placebo, respectively. The MK-7 is MenaQ7® (provided by NattoPharma ASA, Oslo, Norway) and the total study duration is 18 months with 44 participants who have bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) and mild–moderate calcific aortic valve stenosis (CAVS).
According to Dr. Leon Schurgers, one of the paper’s authors: "18F-sodiumfluoride positron emission tomography (PET), magnetic resonance (MR) and computed tomography (CT) assessments will be performed showing for the first time providing incremental information to the standard methods (echocardiography and CT) used to measure aortic valve stenosis and calcification. In essence, the progression or regression of micro-calcification should be clearly observable for the first time."
"This is a breakthrough study for individuals with existing calcifications, and noteworthy as the traditional medical community is initiating a study in diseased patients,” says Dr. Hogne Vik, NattoPharma Chief Medical Officer. "Previously published research in healthy populations show MenaQ7 can inhibit the progression of arterial stiffening, and even regress stiffening resulting in improved arterial flexibility. Now these researchers are looking to determine if vitamin K2 can regress calcification in patients with CAVS - while the only current treatment is valve replacement."
BAV is associated with early development of CAVS and pathophysiologic mechanisms are incompletely defined. Numerous pharmaceutical therapies have been studied as potential intervention in the progression of CAVS, but have not yet presented successful treatment options. Therefore, the only treatment option currently available for severe CAVS is valve replacement.
“Recognizing that medical therapies are proving ineffective, researchers are shining a light on efficacious supplemental alternatives, which leads them to the clinical research that NattoPharma has spearheaded. Specifically, our three-year cardiovascular study in healthy postmenopausal women taking just 180 mcg daily of Vitamin K2 as MK-7 (as MenaQ7), which demonstrated a cessation and even regression in arterial stiffness.
“The relevance of our three-year study has resulted in several studies by the medical community for patients with existing coronary artery calcification, aortic valve calcification, and peripheral artery calcification,” adds Dr. Vik.
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Study [
mdpi.com]
About NattoPharma and MenaQ7®
NattoPharma ASA, based in Norway, is the world’s leader in vitamin K2 research and development. NattoPharma is the exclusive international supplier of MenaQ7® Vitamin K2 as MK-7, the best documented, vitamin K2 as menaquinone-7 (MK-7) with guaranteed actives and stability, clinical substantiation, and international patents granted and pending; and now the new MenaQ7® Full Spectrum, which delivers menaquinones 6, 7, and 9. The company has a multi-year research and development program to substantiate and discover the health benefits of Vitamin K2 for applications in the marketplace for functional food and dietary supplements. With a global presence, the company established its North American subsidiary, NattoPharma USA, Inc., in Edison, NJ, and NattoPharma R&D Ltd. in Cyprus. For more information, visit www.nattopharma.com or www.menaq7.com.