Abstract
A synergistic interplay between vitamins K and D appears to exist. We aimed to
investigate for the first time whether the associations of dietary vitamin K
intake and circulating 25(OH)D with serum lipoprotein levels are influenced by
the existence of deficiency of either or both vitamins K and D. Sixty
individuals [24 males, 36(18–79) years old] were examined. Vitamin
deficiency of K1 and D were defined as vitamin K1 intake/body weight
(BW)<1.00 μg/kg/day and circulating
25(OH)D<20 ng/ml, respectively. In individuals with
vitamin K1 deficiency, the vitamin K1 intake/BW correlated positively
with high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) (r=0.509,
p=0.008) and negatively with serum triglycerides (TG)
(r=–0.638, p=0.001), whereas circulating 25(OH)D
correlated negatively with TG (r=–0.609, p=0.001). In
individuals with vitamin D deficiency, the vitamin K1 intake/BW
correlated positively with HDL-C (r=0.533, p=0.001) and
negatively with TG (r=–0.421, p=0.009), while
circulating 25(OH)D correlated negatively with TG (r=–0.458,
p=0.004). The above-mentioned associations of vitamin K1
intake/BW and circulating 25(OH)D with serum lipoproteins were not
detected in individuals without vitamin K1 deficiency or the ones without
vitamin D deficiency. The vitamin K2 intake/BW correlated negatively
with low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) (r=–0.404,
p=0.001). In conclusion, the associations of vitamin K1 intake with TG
and HDL-C and of circulating 25(OH)D with TG were more pronounced in individuals
with deficiency of either or both vitamins K1 and D. Increased dietary vitamin
K2 intake was associated with decreased LDL-C.
Key words
vitamin D - vitamin K - lipoproteins
