Vitamin K: the coagulation vitamin that became omnipotent.

摘要: Vitamin K, discovered in the 1930s, functions as cofactor for posttranslational carboxylation of glutamate residues. Gammacarboxy glutamic acid (Gla)-residues were first identified prothrombin and coagulation factors 1970s; subsequently, extra-hepatic Gla proteins described, including osteocalcin matrix protein (MGP). Impairment function MGP due to incomplete results an increased risk developing osteoporosis vascular calcification, respectively, is unexpected side effect treatment with oral anticoagulants. It conceivable that other effects, possible involving growth-arrest-specific gene 6 (Gas6) will be forthcoming years. In healthy individuals, substantial fractions circulate incompletely carboxylated species, indicating majority these individuals subclinically vitamin K-deficient. Potential new application areas K are therefore its use dietary supplements functional foods prevent bone disease, well patients on anticoagulant offer them protection against coumarin-induced effects reduce diet-induced fluctuations their INR values.