Vitamin K2 inhibits glucocorticoid-induced bone loss partly by preventing the reduction of osteoprotegerin (OPG)

What Was Tested

The paper reports a study of Vitamin D, K2, Magnesium and Zinc in the context of osteoporosis and bone density, published as a randomized controlled trial.

As vitamin K2 (menatetrenone) has been used for the treatment of osteoporosis, the present study was carried out to evaluate the effect of vitamin K2 on GC-induced bone loss.

Why It Was Studied

This altered bone turnover is not due to the action of parathyroid hormone (PTH), but appears to be related to the suppression of osteoprotegerin (OPG).

Twenty patients with chronic glomerulonephritis treated with GC for the first time were chosen for this study.

Who Took Part

The study group was 10 patients.

The age groups tagged for this paper are adults, both men and women.

Markers of bone metabolism, including serum OPG, osteocalcin (OC), bone-specific alkaline phosphatase activity (BAP), PTH, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP), and bone mineral density (BMD), were measured before and during the treatment.

How the Study Was Run

The researchers set it up as a randomized study.

The patients were allocated by chance, so the Vitamin D, K2, Magnesium and Zinc group and the comparison group should start out alike.

What Was Measured

The subject headings attached to it are Acid Phosphatase, Alkaline Phosphatase, Biomarkers, Bone Density, Bone Resorption, Glucocorticoids and Glycoproteins.

What This Means in Plain Language

The paper is a randomized study of Vitamin D, K2, Magnesium and Zinc in 10 patients in people with osteoporosis and bone density.

With fewer than 40 people, it is a small study, so it is better read as an early signal for further research than as a settled answer.

The publication is from 2005 (Journal of bone and mineral metabolism), a journal based in Japan.

More context: the Vitamin D, K2, Magnesium and Zinc compound page, Osteoporosis and bone density research.