A longitudinal study of the effect of vitamin K-2 on bone mineral density in postmenopausal women a comparative study with vitamin D-3 and estrogen-progestin therapy

Objectives: To investigate the effect of vitamin K-2 treatment for a year o n 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. Result s: Vitamin K-2 suppressed the decrease in spinal BMD as compared with no tr eatment group. BMD in women treated with vitamin K-2 was inversely correlat ed 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 lo ss. In addition, the therapy should be started early in postmenopausal peri od. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.