Vitamin K Supports Skin, Soft Tissue Health

MODENA , ItalyThe vitamin K-dependent matrix, GLA protein (MGP), plays a role in increased mineralization of elastic fibers in the skin of patients with pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE), suggesting MGP and vitamin K are critical to skin and soft tissue health. PXE is an inherited disorder that affects selective connective tissue in the skin, eyes, cardiovascular system and gastrointestinal system.

Researchers from the University of Modena investigated the possible involvement of MGP on elastic fiber calcification in PXE by measuring MGP serum levels and its distribution in the dermis of 30 controls and 30 PXE patients (age 18 to 65 years). Results indicated PXE patients had lower serum concentration of total MGP compared to controls (P<0.001). The amount of MGP was statistically lower in patients (5.16 ± 1.07nM/ml) compared to controls (7.26 ± 1.24 nM/ml) (P<0.001). In addition, normal elastic fibers in control patients had abundant active MGP compared to PXE patients, who were also seen to produce 30 percent less MGP than the controls.

The study is scheduled to be published in Laboratory Investigations.