Modulation of arterial thrombosis tendency in rats by vitamin K and its side chains.

J.E. Ronden, M.M. Groenen-van Dooren, G. Hornstra, C. Vermeer

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Abstract

Vitamin K is involved in the biosynthesis of a number of blood coagulation factors and bone proteins. It has been suggested that the vitamin K requirement of bone tissue is higher than that of the liver. Here we report that in rats very high doses of vitamin K affected neither the blood coagulation characteristics nor the blood platelet aggregation rate. This was observed for both phylloquinone and menaquinone-4. Both vitamers were also tested for their effects on the arterial thrombosis tendency in the rat aorta loop model. The mean obstruction times were prolonged at a high intake of menaquinone-4 (250 mg/kg body weight/day), and shortened after a similarly high phylloquinone regimen. Since (a) both vitamers only differ in their aliphatic side chains; and (b) a similar trend was observed after administration of phytol and geranylgeraniol, we conclude that the modulation of the arterial thrombosis tendency is accomplished by the side chain of vitamin K.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)61-67
Number of pages7
JournalAtherosclerosis
Volume132
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 1997

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