Abstract
- Background
Post-menopausal women are at an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Menaquinone-7 ($\text{MK-7}$) is a fat-soluble vitamin involved in coagulation and maintaining vascular health. The aim of this post hoc analysis of a one-year study was to investigate the effects of $\text{MK-7}$ supplementation on vascular parameters in pre-, peri-, and post-menopausal women.
- Methods
In a clinical intervention trial ($\text{NCT02404519}$), a total of 165 women with a low vitamin K status received either $180\text{ }\mu\text{g}$ of $\text{MK-7}$ daily ($n = 82$) or a matching placebo ($n = 83$) for one year. Established vascular parameters were measured before and after one year of vitamin $\text{K}_2$ supplementation. Pre-, peri-, and post-menopausal women were subdivided according to arterial stiffness, with a high $\beta$-stiffness index defined as being greater than the overall median of $9.83$.
- Results
The post hoc analyses showed a significant decrease in desphospho-uncarboxylated matrix Gla protein ($\text{dp-ucMGP}$) plasma levels after $\text{MK-7}$ supplementation ($\text{pre/peri}$, $p = 0.009$; $\text{post}$, $p < 0.001$). $\text{MK-7}$ treatment significantly attenuated vascular stiffness in post-menopausal women ($\text{placebo}$: $+49.1\% \pm 77.4$; $\text{MK-7}$: $+9.4\% \pm 67.1$; $p = 0.035$). Post-menopausal women with a high stiffness index showed significantly improved vascular markers after $\text{MK-7}$ treatment, e.g., a decreased blood pressure at brachialis ($-3.0\% \pm 9.0$; $p = 0.007$) and an increased distensibility coefficient ($+13.3\% \pm 32.3$; $p = 0.040$).
- Conclusions
Our results confirm that menopause affects vascular health status. Post-menopausal women with an increased stiffness benefit most from $\text{MK-7}$ supplementation, showing significantly improved blood pressure. Further research is needed to unravel the beneficial effects of $\text{MK-7}$ in post-menopausal women.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11901762/