Vitamin K2: A Vitamin that Works like a Hormone, Impinging on Gene Expression

Vitamin K2 binds to the intranuclear receptor SXR and results in the activation of a plethora of genes, both directly and indirectly. Among these genes are important biological markers of cellular characteristics or features (also known as cell phenotypes), as well as a set of molecules known to be involved in both hormone-induced, G-protein-mediated cell signalling, either directly or indirectly activating so-called sirtuins and/or histone deacetylaces (HDACs), known as determinants of cell types and their specific functions in a given tissue. Hence, vitamin K2 may be closely involved in or serving as a traditional molecular ‘link’ between hormonal receptors and intracellular signalling pathways. It has been stated that a true hormone is a product of living cells, which circulates in body fluids (such as blood) and elicits a specific and often stimulatory effect on the activity of cells situated remotely from its point of origin. A large bulk of evidence published over the past 10 years establishes vitamin K2 in this category of substances. Hence, vitamin K2 should be considered and consequently classified as a hormone

Vitamin K2 and Bone Health

During the last 20 years, the main clinical effects of vitamin K2 on bone homeostasis have been investigated in both indirect and direct vitamin K treatment regimens. This chapter is mainly based on randomized clinical trials (RCT) lasting for more than 1 year. As for vitamin K1 (phylloquinone, indirect treatment) and vitamin K2 (menaquinone MK‐4 and MK‐7 direct treatment), respectively, the clinical trials have consistently shown decreased fracture rate incidents, however, mainly in Asian populations. In 2013, a major breakthrough was observed by Knapen et al. in the Netherlands, where menaquinone MK‐7 supplementation of 180 μg/day for 3 years to healthy postmenopausal women significantly decreased the age‐related decline in BMC (bone mineral contents) and BMD (bone mineral density) at the lumbar spine and femoral neck, but not at the total hip, as compared to placebo. Thus, MK‐7 supplementation has shown a significant “double”‐positive action through (1) increased bone building and (2) decreased bone resorption. We look forward to seeing the clinical effects on low bone mass and osteoporosis as well as other bone diseases

The Impact of Vitamin K2 on Energy Metabolism

Environmental and behavioral adaptations introduced during the last decades have synergistically enhanced man’s lifespan, but also paved the ground for disease states involving impairment of multiple organs, which are both modulating and depending on homeostatic calorie “accounting.

Vitamin K2 Facilitating Inter-Organ Cross-Talk

This chapter features how vitamin K2 is instrumental in bringing about inter-organ communication, thus facilitating (a) a synthesis/secretion of the endocrine, humoral factors from various organs and (b) physiological responses to the said factors by a multitude of organ systems of the body, thus creating a ‘lattice’ of reciprocal regulatory loops in order to ensure endocrine homeostasis

Sertoli Cell Adenylyl Cyclase Is Stimulated by a Factor Associated with Germ Cells

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/74745/1/j.1749-6632.1984.tb38341.x.pd

Vitamin K2 and its Impact on Tooth Epigenetics

The impact of nutritional signals plays an important role in systemic-based «models» of dental caries. Present hypotheses now focus both on the oral environment and other organs, like the nervous system and brain. The tooth is subjected to shear forces, nourishing and cleansing, and its present “support system” (the hypothalamus/parotid axis) relays endocrine signaling to the parotid gland. Sugar consumption enhances hypothalamic oxidative stress (ROS), reversing dentinal fluid flow, thus creating an enhanced vulnerability to the oral bacterial flora. The acid, produced by the oral bacterial flora, then leads to erosion of the dentine, and an irreversible loss of dental enamel layers. This attack brings about inflammatory responses, yielding metalloproteinase-based “dissolution”. However, vitamin K2 (i.e. MK-4/MK-7) may come to the rescue with its antioxidant property, locally (mouth cavity) or systemically (via the brain), thus sustaining/preserving hormone-induced dentinal fluid flow (encompassing oxidative stress) and boosting/magnifying bodily inflammatory responses. However, sugars may also reduce the tooth’s natural defences through endocrine signaling, thus enhancing acid-supported enamel dentine erosion. Vitamin K2 sustains and improves the salivary buffering capacity via its impact on the secretion/flow of calcium and inorganic phosphates. Interestingly, primitive cultures’ diets (low-sugar and high-K2 diets) preserve dental health