A longitudinal study of the effect of vitamin K2 on bone mineral density in postmenopausal women a comparative study with vitamin D3 and estrogen-progestin therapy

Objectives: To investigate the effect of vitamin K-2 treatment for a year on spinal bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal women, comparing with vitamin D-3 hormone replacement therapy and to determine the factors which affect the efficacy of vitamin K-2 therapy. Subjects and methods: Seventy-two postmenopausal women were randomized into four groups and treated with respective agents. Before the therapy, 6 and 12 months after the treatment, their lumbar spine BMD were measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. The rates of change in BMD (Delta BMD) were calculated. Correlations of BMD with age, year since menopause and the initial BMD were determined. Results: Vitamin K-2 suppressed the decrease in spinal BMD as compared with no treatment group. BMD in women treated with vitamin K-2 was inversely correlated with their age (r = -0.54; P < 0.05). Conclusions: Vitamin K-2, therapy may be a useful method for preventing postmenopausal spinal bone mineral loss. In addition, the therapy should be started early in postmenopausal period. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.