Study backs Gnosis By Lesaffre’s vitamin K2 for calciphylaxis ahead of World Kidney Day

Gnosis by Lesaffre and its partner Omicron Pharmaceuticals have published a case study exploring the benefits of K2 supplementation on an individual with calciphylaxis, a condition related to poor kidney function.

Calciphylaxis is characterized by ischemic skin lesions and tissue necrosis. It mainly affects people with very poor kidney function.

Gnosis highlights that while conventional solutions are lacking, this case study adds to growing evidence that vitamin K2 supports kidney function and alleviates calciphylaxis symptoms.

The vitamin used was MenaQ7 K2 as MK-7 from Gnosis. MenaQ7 is marketed as the “optimal bioavailable” 99.8% all-trans vitamin K2 as MK-7, produced in the only European plant manufacturing K2 by natural fermentation. It is backed by more than 22 clinical studies.

“The paper advocates for more extensive research to validate the efficacy and safety of Vitamin K2 and other forms of vitamin K for use in those with calciphylaxis to help manage symptoms, underscoring the ongoing need for innovative therapeutic strategies in renal healthcare,” says Gnosis by Lesaffre head of scientific affairs, Kimmo Makinen.

“We are proud that our K2 ingredient — MenaQ7 — has been relied upon for a critical case of calciphylaxis and that the outcome was positive, giving hope to this population.”

Vitamin K and kidney health

The article, “Exploring Novel Therapeutic Strategies for Calciphylaxis: A Focus on Vitamin K2 Supplementation,” is published in Annals of Urology & Nephology.

Gnosis highlights that the majority of patients with compromised kidney health exhibit subclinical vitamin K deficiency that worsens with their disease progression, particularly in hemodialysis patients.

Vitamin K deficiency emerges as a significant risk factor for overall and cardiovascular mortality in individuals with kidney conditions.Moreover, vitamin K deficiency emerges as a significant risk factor for overall and cardiovascular mortality in individuals with kidney conditions.

When activated, the vitamin K-dependent protein Matrix Gla Protein (MGP) is known to inhibit calcification.

Prior research demonstrates that dialysis patients exhibit a slight decrease in active MGP, which significantly increases the risk of calciphylaxis. This suggests a link between K deficiency and the condition.

Animal studies indicate that vitamin K2 can slow cardiovascular calcification by inhibiting further mineralization of damaged vessels. Combining high-dose vitamin K2 with phosphate binders (commonly used for advanced chronic kidney conditions) also significantly reduces calcification.

Gnosis highlights that more than a decade of clinical research demonstrates the safety and effectiveness of MenaQ7 K2 as MK-7. The studies also show the ingredient can improve vitamin K status outside of the liver and, in some instances, enhance arterial flexibility.

Vitamin K2 study findings

In the new case study, an individual with severe calciphylaxis symptoms experienced improvements after supplementing with Vitamin K2 (MenaQ7) at 360 mcg/day.

After one month, the person reported that the pain had disappeared, and the wounds began to heal. Gnosis reports they were fully healed by the third month.

Lead investigator of the research, Dr. Iyad Abuward Abusharkh and his co-authors suggest that vitamin K2 supplementation may emerge as a promising therapy for managing calciphylaxis in dialysis patients.

Our collaboration with Gnosis by Lesaffre, backed by years of clinical research and Vitamin K2 experts, has demonstrated the benefits of this essential nutrient for kidney health,” says CEO of Omicron Pharmaceuticals, Hisham Ramadan.

“This partnership has kept us at the forefront of innovative medical research, as our recent case study clearly illustrates.”

While the researchers continue to explore the optimal dosage of K2 for kidney patients, ongoing randomized controlled trials, such as the “VIKIPEDIA” study, examine the impact of higher dosages of MenaQ7 (1,000 mcg/day) to address deficiency levels.