Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial of the Effect of Treatment with Vitamin K2 on Vascular Calcification in Hemodialysis Patients (Trevasc-HDK)

Sabrina Haroon*, Andrew Davenport, Lieng Hsi Ling, Bee Choo Tai, Lynette Li San Teo, Leon Schurgers, Zhaojin Chen, Rukshana Shroff, Dagmar Christiane Fischer, Priyanka Khatri, Sanmay Low, Jia Neng Tan, Horng Ruey Chua, Boon Wee Teo, Ching Ching Ong, Srinivas Subramanian, Xi Er Yeo, Weng Kin Wong, Titus Wai Leong Lau

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Introduction: Vitamin K deficiency among patients on hemodialysis (HD) affects the function of matrix GLA protein (MGP), a potent vitamin K-dependent inhibitor of vascular calcification (VC). Methods: We conducted a single-center randomized controlled trial (RCT) on maintenance HD patients to examine if vitamin K2 supplementation can reduce progression of coronary artery calcification (CAC) over an 18-month study period. Patients were randomized to vitamin K2 group receiving menaquinone-7360 µg 3 times/wk or control group. The primary outcome was CAC scores at the end of the study period. The secondary outcomes were aortic valve calcification (AVC), carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV), aortic augmentation index (AIx), dephosphorylated undercarboxylated MGP (dp-ucMGP) levels, major adverse cardiac events (MACE), and vascular access events. Results: Of the 178 patients randomized, follow-up was completed for 138 patients. The CAC scores between the 2 groups were not statistically different at the end of 18 months (relative mean difference [RMD] 0.85, 95% CI 0.55–1.31). The secondary outcomes did not differ significantly in AVC (RMD 0.82, 95% CI 0.34–1.98), cfPWV (absolute mean difference [AMD] 0.55, 95% CI -0.50 to 1.60), and AIx (AMD 0.13, 95% CI -3.55 to 3.80). Supplementation with vitamin K2 did reduce dp-ucMGP levels (AMD -86, 95% CI -854 to -117). The composite outcome of MACE and mortality was not statistically different between the 2 groups (Hazard ratio = 0.98, 95% CI 0.50–1.94). Conclusion: Our study did not demonstrate a beneficial effect of vitamin K2 in reducing progression of VC in this population at the studied dose and duration.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1741-1751
Number of pages11
JournalKidney International Reports
Volume8
Issue number9
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Sept 2023

Keywords

  • aortic augmentation index
  • carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity
  • dephosphorylated undercarboxylated MGP
  • hemodialysis
  • vascular calcification
  • vitamin K

Cite this