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http://atvb.ahajournals.org/content/early/2013/08/29/ATVBAHA.113.302244.abstract
Abstract
Objective—Vascular
calcification is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
Once thought to be a passive process, vascular
calcification is now known to be actively
prevented by proteins acting systemically (fetuin-A) or locally (matrix
Gla protein).
Warfarin is a vitamin K antagonist, widely
prescribed to reduce coagulation by inhibiting vitamin K–dependent
coagulation
factors. Recently, it became clear that
vitamin K antagonists also affect vascular calcification by inactivation
of matrix
Gla protein. Here, we investigated functional
cardiovascular characteristics in a mouse model with warfarin-induced
media
calcification.
Approach and Results—DBA/2
mice received diets with variable concentrations of warfarin (0.03,
0.3, and 3 mg/g) with vitamin K1 at variable time
intervals (1, 4, and 7 weeks). Von Kossa
staining revealed that warfarin treatment induced calcified areas in
both medial
layer of aorta and heart in a dose- and
time-dependent fashion, which could be inhibited by simultaneous vitamin
K2 treatment.
With ongoing calcification, matrix Gla
protein mRNA expression decreased, and inactive matrix Gla protein
expression increased.
TdT-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end
labeling–positive apoptosis increased, and vascular smooth muscle cell
number was concomitantly
reduced by warfarin treatment. On a
functional level, warfarin treatment augmented aortic peak velocity,
aortic valve–peak
gradient, and carotid pulse-wave velocity.
Conclusion—Warfarin
induced significant calcification with resulting functional
cardiovascular damage in DBA/2 wild-type mice. The model
would enable future researchers to decipher
mechanisms of vascular calcification and may guide them in the
development of
new therapeutic strategies.
Yikes! I'm so glad I'm not on warfarin.
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