Helicobacter pylori antibiotic eradication coupled with a chemically defined diet in INS-GAS mice triggers dysbiosis and vitamin K deficiency resulting in gastric hemorrhage.

Infection with Helicobacter pylori causes chronic inflammation and is a risk factor for gastric cancer. Antibiotic treatment or increased dietary folate prevents gastric carcinogenesis in male INS-GAS mice. To determine potential synergistic effects, H. pylori-infected male INS-GAS mice were fed an amino acid defined (AAD) diet with increased folate and were treated with antibiotics after 18 weeks of H. pylori infection. Antibiotic therapy decreased gastric pathology, but dietary folate had no effect. However, the combination of antibiotics and the AAD diet induced anemia, gastric hemorrhage, and mortality. Clinical presentation suggested hypovitaminosis K potentially caused by dietary deficiency and dysbiosis. Based on current dietary guidelines, the AAD diet was deficient in vitamin K. Phylloquinone administered subcutaneously and via a reformulated diet led to clinical improvement with no subsequent mortalities and increased hepatic vitamin K levels. We characterized the microbiome and menaquinone profiles of antibiotic-treated and antibiotic-free mice. Antibiotic treatment decreased the abundance of menaquinone producers within orders Bacteroidales and Verrucomicrobiales. PICRUSt predicted decreases in canonical menaquinone biosynthesis genes, menA and menD. Reduction of menA from Akkermansia muciniphila, Bacteroides uniformis, and Muribaculum intestinale were confirmed in antibiotic-treated mice. The fecal menaquinone profile of antibiotic-treated mice had reduced MK5 and MK6 and increased MK7 and MK11 compared to antibiotic-free mice. Loss of menaquinone-producing microbes due to antibiotics altered the enteric production of vitamin K. This study highlights the role of diet and the microbiome in maintaining vitamin K homeostasis.

Vitamin K and cystic fibrosis: A gordian knot that deserves our attention.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an inherited genetic disorder with multiorgan involvement. Gastrointestinal tract dysfunction leads to fat and fat-soluble vitamins (A,D,E,K) malabsorption and deficiency of these vitamins. Subclinical vitamin K (VK) deficiency seems to be a common problem in CF patients. However, despite the rest of fat-soluble vitamins being routinely supplemented, this is not a universal clinical practice for VK. Inefficient levels of VK may have significant effects on blood coagulation and bone formation. There are also some data indicating that VK may play a key role on regulation of inflammation. Supplementing CF patients with VK seems rational, but the appropriate dosing regimens are still a matter of debate. This review will try to delineate the problem and communicate the latest opinions on this controversial issue.

Chronic Complications of Cholestasis: Evaluation and Management.

Patients with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) are at risk for various harmful consequences of chronic cholestasis. These include fat-soluble vitamin deficiency, even in the setting of macronutrient sufficiency, as well as metabolic bone disease, including osteoporosis with fractures. Hyperlipidemia is often present and less commonly associated with risk of cardiovascular event; however, the long-term effect of new emerging therapies for PBC remains to be determined. Patients with PBC also have infrequent but notable risk of portal hypertension despite early-stage disease. This review discusses the background, evaluation, and practical management of these complications of chronic cholestasis.

Prevalencia de deficiencia de vitamina K y factores asociados en pacientes con fibrosis quística sin aporte suplementario / Prevalence of vitamin K deficiency and associated factors in non-supplemented cystic fibrosis patients

Introducción. La deficiencia de vitamina K es prevalente en pacientes con fibrosis quística (FQ) aun con aporte suplementario. Se desconocen factores de riesgo fiables para determinar su ocurrencia. Nuestro objetivo fue evaluar la prevalencia de deficiencia de vitamina K y factores asociados en los pacientes con FQ que no recibían aporte suplementario. Métodos. Se determinaron protrombina inducida por ausencia de vitamina K (PIVKA-II) y osteocalcina infracarboxilada (OCic). Se evaluó el estado clínico y su relación con la deficiencia de vitamina K. El análisis estadístico incluyó prueba de Mann-Whitney, ANOVA o Kruskal-Wallis, prueba χ² o prueba de Fisher-Freeman-Halton y regresión logística múltiple lineal y escalonada hacia adelante. Resultados. Se incluyeron 79 pacientes con FQ de entre 0,4-25,3 años. Se observaron valores anómalos de PIVKA-II y OCic en 56 (70,9%) y 45 (57,0%) pacientes. Los pacientes con PIVKA-II elevada eran significativamente mayores (p = 0,0184) y tenían puntajes Z de peso corporal (p= 0,0297) inferiores a los pacientes que tenían concentraciones normales. No se hallaron diferencias entre los pacientes con OCic normal o patológica. Se notificaron valores anómalos de PIVKA-II y OCic más frecuentemente en pacientes con dos mutaciones graves en el gen CFTR y con un estado nutricional malo/deficiente. Los análisis de regresión múltiple lineal y de regresión múltiple escalonada hacia adelante no revelaron factores predictivos sólidos para determinar la deficiencia de vitamina K. Conclusión. La deficiencia de vitamina K es altamente prevalente durante la evolución natural de la fibrosis quística. No se hallaron determinantes clínicos fiables para precisar su ocurrencia.

Introduction. Vitamin K deficiency is highly prevalent in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients despite supplementation. Moreover, no reliable risk factors for its occurrence are known. The aim was to assess the prevalence of vitamin K deficiency and associated factors in non-supplemented CF patients. Methods. Prothrombin concentration induced by vitamin K absence (PIVKA-II) and the undercarboxylated osteocalcin percentage (u-OC) were determined. In all patients clinical status was assessed and its relation to vitamin K deficiency determined. The following tests were used for statistical analysis: Mann-Whitney test, ANOVA test or the Kruskal Wallis test, the chi-squared test or the Fisher-Freeman-Halton test, and multiple linear and multiple forward stepwise logistic regression analysis. Results. The study group comprised 79 CF patients aged 0.4-25.3 years. PIVKA-II and u-OC were abnormal in 56 (70.9%) and 45 (57.0%) patients. Patients with elevated PIVKA-II were significantly older (p= 0.0184) and had lower Z-score values for body weight (p= 0.0297) than those with normal concentrations. Patients with normal or pathological u-OC percentage did not differ. Abnormal PIVKA-II and u-OC were reported more frequently in subjects with two severe CFTR mutations and with worse/poor nutritional status. Multiple linear and forward stepwise regression analyses did not reveal strong predictive factors of vitamin K deficiency. Conclusion. Vitamin K deficiency is highly prevalent in the natural course of cystic fibrosis. There are no reliable clinical determinants of its occurrence.

Desphospho-Uncarboxylated Matrix-Gla Protein Is Increased Postoperatively in Cardiovascular Risk Patients.

BACKGROUND: Matrix Gla protein (MGP) is an extrahepatic protein that is dependent on glutamate carboxylation, a vitamin K-dependent process. Its dysfunctional form, desphospho-uncarboxylated-MGP, has been associated with increased arterial calcification and stiffness. The aim of this study was to measure the degree of postoperative carboxylation of MGP and two other Gla proteins in patients scheduled for abdominal or orthopaedic surgery. METHODS: Forty patients undergoing abdominal or orthopaedic surgery were included. Blood samples were collected preoperatively and four days after the surgery. Desphospho-carboxylated MGP (dp-cMGP), desphospho-uncarboxylated MGP (dp-ucMGP), carboxylated osteocalcin (OC) (cOC), uncarboxylated OC (ucOC), and uncarboxylated prothrombin (PIVKA-II) were analysed. RESULTS: Preoperatively, 29 patients had dp-ucMGP levels above the reference values. Patients with pre-existing cardiovascular comorbidities had higher dp-ucMGP preoperatively compared with patients with no record of cardiovascular disease. Postoperatively, this number increased to 36 patients, and median dp-ucMGP levels increased (p < 0.0001) and correlated to a PIVKA-II increase (r = 0.44). On the other hand, dp-cMGP levels did not significantly alter. Decreased levels of ucOC and cOC were seen after surgery (p = 0.017 and p = 0.0033, respectively). Comorbidities, possible nutritional defects, and complications affecting Gla protein activity and function were identified. CONCLUSIONS: Dp-ucMGP was high preoperatively, and had further increased postoperatively. This pattern was linked to several comorbidities, possible nutritional defects, and postoperative complications, which motivates further research about potential interactions between perioperative corrective treatments with vitamin K supplements, cardiovascular biomarkers, and incidents of stroke and myocardial infarction events.

Prevalence of vitamin K deficiency and associated factors in non-supplemented cystic fibrosis patients. / Prevalencia de deficiencia de vitamina K y factores asociados en pacientes con fibrosis quística sin aporte suplementario.

INTRODUCTION: Vitamin K deficiency is highly prevalent in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients despite supplementation. Moreover, no reliable risk factors for its occurrence are known. The aim was to assess the prevalence of vitamin K deficiency and associated factors in non-supplemented CF patients. METHODS: Prothrombin concentration induced by vitamin K absence (PIVKA-II) and the undercarboxylated osteocalcin percentage (u-OC) were determined. In all patients clinical status was assessed and its relation to vitamin K deficiency determined. The following tests were used for statistical analysis: Mann-Whitney test, ANOVA test or the Kruskal Wallis test, the chi-squared test or the Fisher-Freeman-Halton test, and multiple linear and multiple forward stepwise logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The study group comprised 79 CF patients aged 0.4-25.3 years. PIVKA-II and u-OC were abnormal in 56 (70.9%) and 45 (57.0%) patients. Patients with elevated PIVKA-II were significantly older (p= 0.0184) and had lower Z-score values for body weight (p= 0.0297) than those with normal concentrations. Patients with normal or pathological u-OC percentage did not differ. Abnormal PIVKA-II and u-OC were reported more frequently in subjects with two severe CFTR mutations and with worse/poor nutritional status. Multiple linear and forward stepwise regression analyses did not reveal strong predictive factors of vitamin K deficiency. CONCLUSION: Vitamin K deficiency is highly prevalent in the natural course of cystic fibrosis. There are no reliable clinical determinants of its occurrence.

INTRODUCCIÓN: La deficiencia de vitamina K es prevalente en pacientes con fibrosis quística (FQ) aun con aporte suplementario. Se desconocen factores de riesgo fiables para determinar su ocurrencia. Nuestro objetivo fue evaluar la prevalencia de deficiencia de vitamina K y factores asociados en los pacientes con FQ que no recibían aporte suplementario. MÉTODOS: Se determinaron protrombina inducida por ausencia de vitamina K (PIVKA-II) y osteocalcina infracarboxilada (OCic). Se evaluó el estado clínico y su relación con la deficiencia de vitamina K. El análisis estadístico incluyó prueba de Mann-Whitney, ANOVA o Kruskal-Wallis, prueba χ2 o prueba de Fisher-Freeman-Halton y regresión logística múltiple lineal y escalonada hacia adelante. RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron 79 pacientes con FQ de entre 0,4-25,3 años. Se observaron valores anómalos de PIVKA-II y OCic en 56 (70,9%) y 45 (57,0%) pacientes. Los pacientes con PIVKA-II elevada eran significativamente mayores (p = 0,0184) y tenían puntajes Z de peso corporal (p= 0,0297) inferiores a los pacientes que tenían concentraciones normales. No se hallaron diferencias entre los pacientes con OCic normal o patológica. Se notificaron valores anómalos de PIVKA-II y OCic más frecuentemente en pacientes con dos mutaciones graves en el gen CFTR y con un estado nutricional malo/deficiente. Los análisis de regresión múltiple lineal y de regresión múltiple escalonada hacia adelante no revelaron factores predictivos sólidos para determinar la deficiencia de vitamina K. CONCLUSIÓN: La deficiencia de vitamina K es altamente prevalente durante la evolución natural de la fibrosis quística. No se hallaron determinantes clínicos fiables para precisar su ocurrencia.

Management of vitamin K deficiency after biliopancreatic diversion with or without duodenal switch.

BACKGROUND: Reduced serum vitamin K levels are frequently observed after biliopancreatic diversion (BPD) and BPD with duodenal switch (BPD/DS). The criteria for treatment are not precisely defined. OBJECTIVES: To assess the effects of standardized vitamin K supplementation in patients who develop vitamin K deficiency after BPD or BPD/DS. SETTING: Teaching hospital specializing in bariatric surgery. METHODS: Serum vitamin K levels, clotting times, and vitamin K-dependent coagulation factors were measured after an overnight fast at baseline and then at 4 days and 1, 4, and 52 weeks after the start of vitamin K supplementation in 10 consecutive patients who had developed severe vitamin K deficiency after BPD or BPD/DS. Vitamin K was administered in a dose of 5 mg/d for 1 week, followed by a maintenance dose of 5 mg once a week. RESULTS: At baseline, all patients had serum vitamin K1 levels below the limit of detection, but none reported symptoms of easy bleeding. Minor prolongation of the prothrombin time and minimal decreases of some coagulation factors were observed in a minority of patients. During the first week of vitamin K loading, median serum vitamin K1 levels rose into the high normal range. During maintenance treatment, median vitamin K1 levels settled in the low normal range. CONCLUSION: Vitamin K1 deficiency in patients with BPD or BPD/DS is not commonly associated with bleeding or clinically relevant decreases in coagulation factor activity. We hypothesize that vitamin K2 production in the large intestine is usually sufficient to compensate for vitamin K1 deficiency and to maintain total liver vitamin K stores within the range required for (near) normal coagulation factor production.

Exogenous and endogenous determinants of vitamin K status in cystic fibrosis.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) patients are at high risk for vitamin K deficiency. The effects of vitamin K supplementation are very ambiguous. Therefore, we aimed to define the determinants of vitamin K deficiency in a large cohort of supplemented - 146 (86.9%) and non-supplemented - 22 (13.1%) CF patients. Vitamin K status was assessed using prothrombin inducted by vitamin K absence (PIVKA-II) and undercarboxylated osteocalcin (u-OC). The pathological PIVKA-II concentration (≥ 2 ng/ml) and abnormal percentage of osteocalcin (≥ 20%) were found in 72 (42.8%) and 60 (35.7%) subjects, respectively. We found that liver involvement, diabetes, and glucocorticoid therapy were potential risk factors for vitamin K deficiency. Pathological concentrations of PIVKA-II occurred more frequently in patients with pancreatic insufficiency and those who have two severe mutations in both alleles of the CFTR gene. Pathological percentage of u-OC was found more frequently in adult CF patients and those not receiving vitamin K. However, it seems that there are no good predictive factors of vitamin K deficiency in CF patients in everyday clinical care. Early vitamin K supplementation in CF patients seems to be warranted. It is impossible to clearly determine the supplementation dose. Therefore, constant monitoring of vitamin K status seems to be justified.

Vitamin K1 monitoring in pregnancies after bariatric surgery: a prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Neonatal intracranial bleedings and birth defects have been reported, possibly related to maternal vitamin K1 deficiency during pregnancy after bariatric surgery. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of screening and supplementation on K1 serum levels in pregnant women with bariatric surgery, and to compare K1 levels and prothrombin time (PT %) in the first trimester with pregnant women without bariatric surgery. METHODS: A prospective cohort study including 49 pregnant women with bariatric surgery. Nutritional deficiencies were prospectively screened. In case of observed low K1 serum levels, supplementation was provided. K1 serum levels and PT (%) during the first trimester were compared with a nonsurgical control group of 27 women. RESULTS: During the first trimester, most women had low K1 serum levels (<0.8 nmol/l). Mean vitamin K1 levels were significantly lower in the surgical group compared to the nonsurgical control group (.44 versus .64 nmol/l; P = .016). PT (%) remained in the normal range, The surgery group showed a higher mean PT compared to the controls (111.3 versus 98.9%; P<.001) Mean K1 serum levels in the study group were higher during the third than during the first trimester (P = .014). PT (%) was significantly higher during the second and third than during the first trimester (P = .004). Most of the coagulation factors, including II, V, VII, IX, and X, remained within normal ranges. CONCLUSION: Low circulating K1 appears to be common in pregnant women with and without bariatric surgery. Supplementation during pregnancy can restore vitamin K1 in women with bariatric surgery, potentially protecting the fetus and newborn against intracranial hemorrhage.

Unusual manifestations of Epstein-Barr virus infection in an 8-month-old male infant.

Severe acute hepatitis is a rare complication of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection. The authors report a case of an 8-month-old male infant who presented with subacute fever and jaundice. The physical examination showed hepatosplenomegaly and ecchymoses on his abdomen, chest wall and extremities. He received vitamin K therapy and prednisolone, and he recovered well without further complications or sequelae. Although severe acute hepatitis is a rare complication of EBV infection, clinicians should recognise this condition in order to provide a prompt treatment.

Bleeding tendency in an adolescent with chronic small bowel obstruction.

We report a case of fat-soluble vitamin deficiency in a 14-year old boy who had chronic duodenal obstruction. He presented with periodic unexplained bleeding tendency. The laboratory results showed positive fat globules in stool and prolonged prothrombin time. His further investigation revealed low plasma vitamin A and undetectable plasma vitamin E. After parenteral vitamin K and oral vitamin A and E supplement, these abnormalities resolved although he still had absent knee jerk. We propose that fat malabsorption and fat-soluble vitamin deficiency can occur after prolonged duodenal obstruction that induce bacterial overgrowth following by bile acid deconjugation. Despite very few case reports, screening for fat malabsorption and fat-soluble vitamin deficiency might be warranted in patients with chronic small bowel obstruction.

Effect of an antioxidant-rich multivitamin supplement in cystic fibrosis.

BACKGROUND: Despite supplementation with standard multivitamins and pancreatic enzymes, deficiencies of vitamins D and K and antioxidants are common in cystic fibrosis (CF). METHODS: In this non-randomized, open-label study, AquADEKs® softgels were given daily over 12 weeks to 14 CF subjects (mean age 15 years, range 10-23) without a preceding wash-out period. Both pancreatic sufficient and insufficient subjects were enrolled. Plasma vitamin and antioxidant levels, urine 8-isoprostane levels, anthropometric measures, and pulmonary function were determined at baseline, 6 and 12 weeks. RESULTS: Daily supplementation significantly increased plasma beta(ß)-carotene, coenzyme Q10, and γ-tocopherol concentrations, decreased proteins induced in vitamin K absence (PIVKA-II) levels, but did not normalize vitamin D and K status in all subjects. Vitamin A levels did not exceed the normal range for any subject during the entire study period. Modest improvements in weight percentile and pulmonary function were observed. Change in plasma ß-carotene concentrations weakly correlated with changes in weight and body mass index percentiles. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, AquADEKs® increased systemic antioxidant levels, while maintaining vitamin A levels in the normal range, and improved but did not completely normalize vitamin D and K status. Increased ß-carotene levels were associated with improved growth parameters. These results warrant further clinical evaluation in CF.

[Vitamin K deficiency in patients with CF despite supplementation]. / Niedobór witaminy K u chorych na mukowiscydoze pomimo stosowanej suplementacji.

INTRODUCTION: Cystic fibrosis (CF) patients are at high risk for vitamin K deficiency. Vitamin K supplementation dose has not been clearly defined, and the effects of the supplementation are very ambiguous. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to assess body resources of vitamin K and determine the suitability of the coagulation parameters in the assessment of vitamin K deficiency in patients undergoing supplementation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study comprised 30 CF patients aged from 1.5 to 32 years. In all patients, the concentration of the undercarboxylated prothrombin (prothrombin induced by vitamin K deficiency--PIVKA-II), as a marker of vitamin K deficiency, was estimated. For comparison of the diagnostic value of existing methods of assessment of vitamin K status, the coagulation parameters were evaluated (prothrombin ratio and INR). RESULTS: In spite of applied supplementation vitamin K status was not normal in all CF patients. Increased PIVKA-II concentrations (3.3-97 ng/ml) were found in 8 out of 30 (26.7%) patients, when the cut-off value of 2 ng/ml was used. Abnormal PIVKA-II levels corresponded to pathological values of the coagulation parameters only in one patient. In the remaining 7 CF subjects with increased concentration of the undercarboxylated prothrombin, coagulation parameters were normal. CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin K deficiency occurs in CF patients despite applied supplementation. The accurate supplementation dose should be estimated individually and the assessment of its effectiveness requires studies allowing to determine the real body resources of vitamin K. The coagulation parameters are not a good indicator of vitamin K deficiency.

Suboptimal vitamin K status despite supplementation in children and young adults with cystic fibrosis.

BACKGROUND: For children and adolescents with cystic fibrosis (CF) and pancreatic insufficiency, the efficacy of routine vitamin K supplementation to normalize vitamin K status remains unclear. OBJECTIVE: This study examined and determined predictors of vitamin K status in subjects aged 8-25 y with CF and pancreatic insufficiency taking various vitamin K supplements. DESIGN: In 97 subjects, serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], dietary intake, vitamin K supplement intake, and vitamin K statusmdashdetermined on the basis of the percentage of serum undercarboxylated osteocalcin (%ucOC; sufficient: lt 20%) and plasma proteins induced by vitamin K absence-factor II (PIVKA-II; n = 60; sufficient: le 2 microg/L)mdashwere assessed. The vitamin K supplementation groups were as follows: lt 150 microg/d (low; multivitamins or no supplement), 150-999 microg/d (middle; CF-specific vitamins), and ge 1000 microg/d (high; mephyton). %ucOC values were compared with 140 healthy subjects aged 6-21 y. RESULTS: In subjects with CF, the median (range) %ucOC was 35% (3%, 76%) and the median (range) for PIVKA-II was 2 (0, 42) micro g/L. Subjects with CF had a higher %ucOC with low [45% (10%, 76%)] and medium [41% (3%, 66%)] supplement intakes but not with a high supplement intake [16% (4%, 72%)] compared with healthy subjects [23% (0%, 43%); both P lt 0.05]. Supplementation group for males and females and 25(OH)D and age for males were significant predictors of vitamin K status. CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin K status was often suboptimal despite routine supplementation. Only subjects taking high-dose vitamin K achieved a status similar to healthy subjects, and only the vitamin K supplementation dose predicted vitamin K status for males and females. These data suggest that higher doses of vitamin K are required.

Awareness of glucose-6 phosphate-dehydrogenase deficiency in celiac disease.

UNLABELLED: Individuals with celiac disease (CD) are predisposed to a number of haematological abnormalities including anaemia secondary to malabsorption of iron, vitamin B12 or folate; anaemia of chronic disease and coagulopathy secondary to vitamin K deficiency. Correction of coagulopathy with vitamin K is necessary before endoscopic biopsy in patients with suspected CD. However, vitamin K causes haemolysis in glucose-6 phosphate-dehydrogenase deficiency. CONCLUSION: When vitamin K administration becomes necessary for correction of coagulopathy in patients with CD; glucose-6 phosphate-dehydrogenase deficiency should be considered.