Compositions comprising vitamin k for treating or preventing age-related stiffening of arteries

Abstract

Vitamin K is effective in counteracting the reduction in arterial elasticity normally associated with the aging process. A pharmaceutical composition or nutritional formulation comprising vitamin K can be used to combat age-related stiffening of the arteries, and the consequences thereof, namely pulmonary congestion, hypertension, left ventricular hypertrophy, congestive (right sided) heart failure, left sided or left ventricular failure, chronic cardiac failure, angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, Mönckeberg's sclerosis and stroke.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention concerns the use of vitamin K and derivatives thereof to prevent or treat a reduction in elasticity and distensibility of the vasculature, and thereby to lower blood pressure and prevent cardiovascular disease. BACKGROUND [0002] The process of aging is associated with irreversible physiological changes to the circulatory system, leading to an increased risk of blood pressure disorders, Coronary Heart Disease (CHD), and stroke. For women, this risk rises dramatically after the onset of menopause. These conditions have a significant impact on quality of life for the middle-aged and elderly and account for a large proportion of deaths and chronic illnesses in modern societies. [0003] Patients suffering from cardiovascular disorders are frequently prescribed anticoagulants, antihypertensives, cholesterol-lowering medications, and the like. These medications usually present harmful side-effects or health risks, and moreover, the chronic...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011] In a second aspect, the invention provides use of a composition comprising vitamin K or a derivative thereof, optionally together with vitamin D or a derivative thereof, in the manufacture of a medicament or nutritional formulation for treating or preventing an age-related decrease in compliance and / or distensibility of arteries and / or an age-related increase in pulse pressure.

Problems solved by technology

The process of aging is associated with irreversible physiological changes to the circulatory system, leading to an increased risk of blood pressure disorders, Coronary Heart Disease (CHD), and stroke.

For women, this risk rises dramatically after the onset of menopause.

These medications usually present harmful side-effects or health risks, and moreover, the chronic effects of taking such medication regularly over the course of years or decades are not well studied.

Reductions in complicance and distensibility result in an impairment of the arterial system to cushion pulsatile pressure.

Arterial stiffening results in a higher pulse wave velocity and earlier wave reflections.

This increases systolic and pulse pressure and consequently cardiac workload.

Vascular stiffening is associated with ageing, diabetes mellitus and renal dysfunction; it is the result of degradation of the elastic lamellae in the tunica media resulting in loss of elasticity.

This will lead to increased blood pressure, vascular widening, and in later stages to rupture of (mainly the small) arteries and capillaries.

Images