European Journal of Biotechnology and Bioscience

Authors
Fazeel ZA, Ghina Fazeelath

Abstract
Osteoporosis is characterized by decreased bone strength, weak skeletal microarchitecture and low BMD. It manifests as pain in weight bearing bones with increased incidence of fractures. Measurement of BMD and serum osteocalcin are 2 of the various methods to diagnose osteoporosis. Various treatment options for osteoporosis have their own side effect profile or failure rate. Certain studies have demonstrated supplementation of vitamin K to enhance effect of anti-osteoporotic treatment. Vitamin K is a fat soluble vitamin involved in Blood coagulation. Blood coagulation is carried out by gamma carboxylation of factors II, VII, IX and X. in the similar manner vitamin K causes Gamma carboxylation of osteocalcin. Osteocalcin is a protein which binds to hydroxyapatite in bone matrix and promotes bone formation. Various studies have been compiled in this article that have demonstrated the beneficial effect of vitamin K in various types of osteoporosis – post menopausal, disuse induced, drug induced.