Recent study finds new evidence of vitamin K2’s impact on oxidative stress and ATP production

Photo © AdobeStock.com/Маргарита Медведева

A poster¹ recently presented on March 25, 2022 at the 2nd International Electronic Conference on Nutrients (IECN) demonstrated that MenaQ7 Vitamin K2 as MK-7 (from Gnosis by Lesaffre based in Marcq-en-Baroeul, France and New Brunswick, NJ) counteracts oxidative stress in vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) as well as increasing adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production. The poster, "Non-Canonical Role of MK-7 in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells,” was presented by PhD student Asim Cengiz Akbulut, Department of Biochemistry, CARIM, Maastricht University, with the support of his supervisor and senior author on the abstract Professor Leon Schurgers, Professor of Biochemistry of Vascular Calcification and vice-chair of Biochemistry at CARIM, Maastricht University.

SMC driven vascular calcification is regulated by vitamin K-dependent matrix Gla protein (MGP). The researchers hypothesized that given vitamin K’s ability to promote energy to bacteria, scavenge free radicals and reduce oxidative stress, vitamin K could have non-canonical functions to decrease vascular calcification. In the study, researchers introduced warfarin, a vitamin K antagonist, to cultured SMCs, interfering in vitamin K metabolism, thus increasing intracellular oxidative stress. The introduction of MK-7 counteracted this oxidative stress, even increasing ATP production. The researchers conclude: “This pathway points to a non-canonical role of MK-7 in the prevention of vascular calcification, unrelated to its canonical role as cofactor for the post-translational modification of MGP.”

"We are incredibly encouraged by the results of this study highlighting the potential of Vitamin K2 as MK-7 for healthy aging, as oxidative stress is involved in several age-related conditions, such as increased cardiovascular risk, chronic kidney conditions, and neurodegenerative disorders," explains Hogne Vik, Gnosis by Lesaffre chief medical officer, in a press release. "This contributes nicely to our already substantial body of research showing MenaQ7 is a cardio-protective nutrient and reaffirms why the medical community is interested in the ongoing study of this important nutrient for the betterment of global health.

"Further, evidence showing MenaQ7 increased the production of ATP shines highlights K2 as MK-7 as a potentially essential nutrient for sports nutrition,” adds Vik. “While it is preliminary data, we are excited about the next steps of this important research to validate the additional health benefits and applications”

Reference

1. Akbulut, AC et al. “Non-canonical role of MK-7 in vascular smooth muscle cells - promoting energy and Inhibiting of oxidative stress,” Proceedings of the 2nd International Electronic Conference on Nutrients, 15–31 March 2022, MDPI: Basel, Switzerland, doi:10.3390/IECN2022-12401