Role of vitamin K₂ in bone metabolism: a point of view and a short reappraisal of the literature

Abstract

Vitamin K₂ (vit K₂) belongs to a large group of fat-soluble compounds whose formulation is MK (menaquinone) (MK-2 to MK-14), that seem to be involved in different biological functions. In particular, vit K₂ has been recently recognized as efficacious and safe in treatment of bone loss, as it contributes to structural integrity of osteocalcin (OC), the major non-collagenous protein typically found in bone matrix. Several studies proved low vit K₂ intake is linked to bone loss and to increased fracture risk in both sexes. Nowadays, vit K₂ supplementation is considered a significant manner to enhance the association of calcium and vitamin D whose role on bone health is largely recognized. On the other hand, vit K₂ may be used alone or with other drugs to preserve bone quality/strength from skeletal degradation after menopause and/or in patients affected by secondary osteoporosis. In this paper, we review the most recent data about vit K₂ on skeleton.

摘要

维生素K2 (VitK2) 是一大类脂溶性化合物, 其分子式为MK (甲基萘醌) (MK-2∼MK-14), 似乎参与了不同的生物学功能。特别是, 维生素K2最近被认为是治疗骨丢失的有效和安全的药物, 因为它有助于骨钙素 (OC) 的结构完整性, 而骨钙素是骨基质中的常见的主要非胶原蛋白。多项研究证明, 维生素K2摄入量低与男女的骨质流失和骨折风险增加有关。如今, 补充维生素K2被认为是增强钙和维生素D结合的一种重要方式, 而维生素D对骨骼健康的作用已被广泛认识。另一方面, 维生素K2可以单独使用或与其他药物联合使用, 以保护绝经后和/或继发性骨质疏松症患者的骨骼质量/强度不受骨骼退化的影响。本文就维生素K2在骨骼上的最新研究进展进行综述。

The Chinese abstracts are translated by Prof. Dr. Xiangyan Ruan and her team: Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100026, China.

Keywords:

• Vitamin K₂
• bone
• osteoporosis
• fracture
• menaquinone

Disclosure statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest concerning this paper.