| [ Summary ] |
It has become evident that the fat-soluble vitamins D, K and A play important roles as common regulators of bone calcification and vascular calcification in mammals. The former two vitamins have been shown to exhibit particular stimulatory effects on the increase of bone mineral density and the maintenance of normal bone quality. However their functions in regulating vascular calcification have not been fully understood. At present, it is postulated that vitamin K functions in the suppression and regression of vascular calcification through activation of matrix gla proteins (MGP). Active vitamin D is believed to suppress vascular calcification at serum physiological concentrations, however, it strongly induces vascular calcification at low and high serum concentrations. Little information is available about the possible roles of vitamins A on vascular calcification and “bone-vasculature relationships”. |