Description
Vitamin K2 is a naturally occurring vitamin that contains the basic structure of menadione and has anti-bleeding effects. It is a yellow crystal or oily liquid at room temperature, insoluble in water, soluble in organic solvents and vegetable oils, heat-resistant, but easily affected by light damage.
Effect
Vitamin K2 can promote the synthesis of prothrombin in the liver and regulate the synthesis of coagulation factors VII, IX and X, thereby accelerating blood coagulation. In addition, it plays an important role in the phosphorylation of glucose in cells. In some bacteria (such as mycobacteria), it can be used as a component of the respiratory chain.
Physiological function
The main physiological function of vitamin K2 is to promote the production of prothrombin (coagulation factor II) in the liver, and it also regulates the formation of coagulation factors VII, IX and X. Vitamin K deficiency, blood clotting time is prolonged, bleeding can occur in severe cases.
Uses
Vitamin K2 is a natural vitamin that is produced by gut bacteria. It is suitable for hemostasis: obstructive jaundice, biliary fistula, chronic diarrhea, hemorrhage in neonates, premature infants, and secondary vitamin K deficiency caused by long-term use of broad-spectrum antibiotics, sulfonamides, and excessive use of coumarins, salicids Bleeding from acid.
Uses
Vitamin K2 is an endogenous metabolite.
Indications
Vitamin K2 is a type of isoprenol compound mainly derived from bacterial synthesis, also known as menaquinone (MK). It has the following clinical uses:
(1) Coagulation and hemostasis: Like vitamin K1, vitamin K2 helps blood coagulation.
(2) Treatment of osteoporosis: Studies have shown that vitamin K2 treatment of osteoporosis can inhibit the occurrence of new fractures and maintain bone mineral density (BMD), which may be related to MK regulating the expression of osteoblast-specific genes (such as osteocalcin, osteoprotegerin (OPG), NFkB receptor activator (RANK) and its ligand (RANKL).
(3) Prevention or treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD): In the nervous system, vitamin K2 plays a vital role in regulating many functions, such as sphingolipid synthesis, growth arrest-specific protein 6 (Gas6)-related signaling and cognition. In addition, a study showed that low vitamin K intake may lead to cognitive impairment in the elderly. Therefore, vitamin K2 supplementation may have a protective effect against AD.
(4) Prevention of skeletal system and cardiovascular diseases: It also has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, helps maintain bone health, and avoids coronary artery calcification.
Definition
ChEBI: Menaquinone-4 is a menaquinone whose side-chain contains 4 isoprene units in an all-trans-configuration. It has a role as a bone density conservation agent, a human metabolite, an antioxidant, an anti-inflammatory agent and a neuroprotective agent.
Biosynthesis
Vitamin K2 can be produced through microbial fermentation using bacterial strains such as Bacillus subtilis Z-15 and Bacillus subtilis D200-41, utilizing substrates and carbon sources such as crude glycerol and soybean extract[1]. The biosynthesis of vitamin K2 in bacteria proceeds through pathways involving key intermediates and precursors such as shikimate, 2-succinylbenzoate, 1,4-dihydroxy-2-naphthoate, and isoprenoid precursors including IPP and DMAPP[2].
Origin
Dietary sources of vitamin K2 (menaquinones) include chicken egg yolk, butter, beef liver, certain cheeses, and natto. Vitamin K2 may also be obtained through microbial pathways, primarily present in fermented foods or produced by gut bacteria. It has been proposed to market methylnaphthoquinone in the form of vitamin K2-containing oil, produced by fermenting soy protein isolate and corn starch in the presence of the natto-producing Gram-positive bacterium Bacillus subtilis. This K2-containing oil contains vitamin K2 primarily in the form of menaquinone-7 (MK-7), with a minor amount present as menaquinone-6 (MK-6).
[1] (EFSA) E F S A. Vitamin K2 added for nutritional purposes in foods for particular nutritional uses, food supplements and foods intended for the general population and Vitamin K2 as a source of vitamin K added for nutritional purposes to foodstuffs, in the context of Regulation (EC) N° 258/97 - Scientific Opinion of the Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies[C]//6 11. 2008. DOI:
10.2903/j.efsa.2008.822.
benefits
Vitamin K2 is a natural nutrient found in animal and fermented foods. It plays an important role in blood clotting, bone health and heart health. Studies have shown that supplementation with Vitamin K2 may help maintain normal blood clotting and promote wound healing, as well as reduce the risk of heart disease and improve bone health and reduce the risk of osteoporosis. In addition, it may also be beneficial in improving dental health and preventing cancer.
Dosage
Proposed uses and use levels for vitamin K2(Fig.1); For supplements, the daily intake for adults is typically in the range of 50 micrograms.
References
[1]
Zhang, C., Wu, D., Ren, H. (2020). Economical production of vitamin K2 using crude glycerol from the by-product of biodiesel. Scientific Reports, 10(1).
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-62737-x [2]
Zhang, Z., Liu, L., Liu, C., Sun, Y., Zhang, D. (2021). New aspects of microbial vitamin K2 production by expanding the product spectrum. Microbial Cell Factories, 20(1).
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12934-021-01574-7
