Vitamin K2-MK-7 improves nitric oxide-dependent endothelial function in ApoE/LDLR-/- mice. - GreenMedInfo Summary
Vitamin K-MK-7 improves nitric oxide-dependent endothelial function in ApoE/LDLRmice.
Vascul Pharmacol. 2019 Nov - Dec;122-123:106581. Epub 2019 Aug 14. PMID: 31421222
Anna Bar
Although, vitamin Kdisplays vasoprotective effects, it is still not known whether Ktreatment improves endothelial function. In ApoE/LDLRmice at the stage prior to atherosclerosis development, four-week treatment with K-MK-7, given at a low dose (0.05 mg/kg), improved acetylcholine- and flow-induced, endothelium-dependent vasodilation in aorta or in femoral artery, as assessed by MRI in vivo. This effect was associated with an increased NO production, as evidenced by EPR measurements in ex vivo aorta. Treatment with higher doses of K-MK-7 (0.5; 5 mg/kg) resulted in a dose-dependent increase in plasma K-MK-7 and K-MK-4 concentration, without further improvement in endothelial function. In ApoE/LDLRmice with developed atherosclerotic plaques, treatment with a low (0.03 mg/kg) or high (10 mg/kg) dose of K-MK-7 resulted in a similar degree of endothelium-dependent vasodilation improvement and increase in plasma nitrate concentration, what was not associated with changes in thrombin generation as measured by CAT. Both doses of K-MK-7 also reduced media thickness in the brachiocephalic artery, but did not modify atherosclerotic plaque size. In conclusion, K-MK-7 improves NO-dependent endothelial function in ApoE/LDLRmice. This study, identifies the endothelial profile of the pharmacological activity of vitamin K, which has not been previously described.