Vitamin K to improve vascular health in chronic kidney disease
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Vitamin K therapy to improve vascular health in patients with Chronic Kidney Disease – a randomised controlled trial
IRAS ID
176919
Contact name
Miles D Witham
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Dundee
ISRCTN Number
ISRCTN21444964
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 2 months, 31 days
Research summary
Reduced kidney function (sometimes called chronic kidney disease) is common, especially as people get older. Kidney problems don’t just affect the kidney, but can affect the health of blood vessels and the heart, leading to an increased risk of heart disease or strokes. Kidney problems lead to blood vessels becoming stiffer than usual, due to a build up of calcium (rather like chalk) in the wall of the blood vessel.Some recent research suggests that vitamin K—a vitamin present in vegetables and dairy foods—might be able to slow down or stop this build up of calcium in blood vessels.
We will conduct a randomised controlled trial. 166 patients with moderate (stage 3b and 4) chronic kidney disease will be randomised to receive a daily dose of 400mcg of vitamin K2, or a matching placebo (dummy) pill once a day for a year. We will measure how stiff the arteries are at the start, six months and 12 months, test blood markers of blood vessel health, kidney function and mineral metabolism, measure blood pressure, measure calcium levels in the wall of arteries by x-ray, and record muscle strength, falls and balance.
REC name
East of Scotland Research Ethics Service REC 2
REC reference
15/ES/0085
Date of REC Opinion
16 Jun 2015
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion