Regulation of bone remodeling by vitamin K2

Myneni, V. D., & Mezey, E. (2017). Regulation of bone remodeling by vitamin K2. Oral Diseases, 23(8), 1021–1028. https://doi.org/10.1111/odi.12624

Authors Vamsee D. Myneni and Eva Mezey, researchers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), explore how Vitamin K2 influences both osteoblasts (cells that form new bone) and osteoclasts (cells that break down bone), ultimately affecting bone density, osteoporosis risk, and fracture prevention. Their review synthesizes findings from cell-based studies, animal models (rats and mice), and human clinical trials to evaluate Vitamin K2’s role in bone metabolism.

Key Findings

• Vitamin K2 enhances bone formation and reduces bone loss.
  • Studies in cells and animal models indicate that Vitamin K2 promotes osteoblast differentiation, increasing bone-building activity.
  • At the same time, Vitamin K2 inhibits osteoclast differentiation, limiting the breakdown of bone tissue.
• Animal studies suggest Vitamin K2 helps prevent osteoporosis.
  • In rodent models, Vitamin K2 supplementation improved bone mineral density (BMD) and reduced bone loss associated with osteoporosis.
  • The effects were more pronounced when Vitamin K2 was combined with Vitamin D3, suggesting a synergistic relationship between these two vitamins.
• Human clinical trials show mixed results.
  • Some studies found that Vitamin K2 supplementation reduced fracture risk and slowed bone loss, particularly in postmenopausal women.
  • However, other trials did not find significant benefits unless Vitamin D3 was also included, reinforcing the idea that Vitamin K2 works best in combination with other key nutrients.
• The role of Vitamin K2 in calcium metabolism is a key factor.
  • Vitamin K2 activates osteocalcin, a protein that helps bind calcium to the bone matrix, improving bone strength.
  • It also regulates matrix Gla protein, which prevents calcium from being deposited in soft tissues, reducing the risk of arterial calcification.
• Future research is needed to clarify its long-term impact.
  • While findings suggest that Vitamin K2 plays a protective role in bone health, more large-scale trials are needed to confirm its effectiveness and determine optimal dosing strategies.