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Effects of One-Year Menaquinone-7 Supplementation on Vascular Stiffness and Blood Pressure in Post-Menopausal Women.

  • 2025-02-27
  • Nutrients 17(5)
    • Femke de Vries
    • Rudolf Bittner
    • Katarzyna Maresz
    • François Machuron
    • Olav Gåserød
    • Jean-François Jeanne
    • Leon J Schurgers

Study Design

Type
Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
Sample size
n = 165
Population
165 women with a low vitamin K status
Methods
clinical intervention trial, 180 µg of MK-7 daily or matching placebo for one year
Blinding
Double-blind
Duration
one year
Funding
Unclear
  • Large Human Trial
  • Rigorous Journal
Background/Objectives: Post-menopausal women are at an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Menaquinone-7 (MK-7) is a fat-soluble vitamin involved in coagulation and maintaining vascular health. The aim of the post hoc analysis of this one-year study is to investigate the effects of MK-7 supplementation on the vascular parameters in pre-, peri-, and post-menopausal women. Methods: In a clinical intervention trial (NCT02404519), a total of 165 women with a low vitamin K status received either 180 µg of 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 K2 supplementation. Pre-, peri-, and post-menopausal women were subdivided according to arterial stiffness, with a high b-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 (dp-ucMGP) plasma levels after MK-7 supplementation (pre/peri, p = 0.009; post, p < 0.001). MK-7 treatment significantly attenuated vascular stiffness in post-menopausal women (placebo +49.1% ± 77.4; MK-7 +9.4% ± 67.1; p = 0.035). Post-menopausal women with a high stiffness index showed significantly improved vascular markers after MK-7 treatment, e.g., a decreased blood pressure at brachialis (-3.0% ± 9.0; p = 0.007) and an increased distensibility coefficient (+13.3% ± 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 MK-7 supplementation, with a significantly improved blood pressure. Further research is needed to unravel the beneficial effects of MK-7 in post-menopausal women.

Research Insights

  • Vitamin K2→Increased Distensibility Coefficient

    Post-menopausal women with a high stiffness index showed significantly improved vascular markers after MK-7 treatment, e.g., ... an increased distensibility coefficient (+13.3% ± 32.3; p = 0.040).

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Moderate
    Dose
    180 µg daily
  • Vitamin K2→Reduced Blood Pressure

    Post-menopausal women with a high stiffness index showed significantly improved vascular markers after MK-7 treatment, e.g., a decreased blood pressure at brachialis (-3.0% ± 9.0; p = 0.007)

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    180 µg daily
  • Vitamin K2→Reduced Vascular Stiffness

    MK-7 treatment significantly attenuated vascular stiffness in post-menopausal women (placebo +49.1% ± 77.4; MK-7 +9.4% ± 67.1; p = 0.035).

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Moderate
    Dose
    180 µg daily
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