Аnti-inflammatory Effects of Vitamin K on Women's Health

This article presents the latest research data on the role of vitamin K in the implementation of its multiple non-classical extra-coagulation effects associated with the regulation of a number of physiological and pathological processes in the human body. In recent years, numerous studies have been performed on vitamin K function to better understand the effects of this micronutrient and its significance in various biological reactions. Vitamin K is well known to be a cofactor of the -carboxylation of a number of proteins, which is necessary for their activation and is part of the so-called vitamin K cycle. The cycle enzymes, metabolites and vitamin K-dependent proteins are identified and expressed in many cells and tissues of the human body: skin, lungs, liver, kidneys, vascular endothelium, nervous and bone tissues, reproductive (endometrium, ovaries, placenta) and immune systems. There were analyzed the main mechanisms of vitamin K action through vitamin K-dependent proteins. The results of epidemiological and experimental studies prove the association of reduced vitamin K levels with the increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, overall mortality, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes mellitus, progression of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis. On the contrary, vitamin K increased intake has a positive effect on the immune and nervous systems, as well as on a number of other somatic pathologies, including breakdowns in the reproductive sphere. These data confirm the multifunctional role of vitamin K in various organs and systems of organism, presenting as high potential further studies in the field of determining vitamin K levels.