Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT: Background
Stroke prevention by warfarin, a vitamin K antagonist, has been an integral part in the management of atrial fibrillation. Vitamin K-dependent matrix Gla protein (MGP) has been known as a potent inhibitor of arterial calcification and osteoporosis. Therefore, we hypothesized that warfarin therapy affects bone mineral metabolism, vascular calcification, and vascular endothelial dysfunction.Methods
We studied 42 atrial fibrillation patients at high-risk for atherosclerosis having one or more coronary risk factors. Twenty-four patients had been treated with warfarin for at least 12 months (WF group), and 18 patients without warfarin (non-WF group). Bone alkaline phosphatase (BAP) and under carboxylated osteocalcin (ucOC) and receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B ligand (RANKL) were measured as bone metabolism markers. Reactive hyperemia-peripheral arterial tonometry (RH-PAT) index measured by Endo-PAT2000 was used as an indicator of vascular endothelial function.Results
There were no significant differences in patient background characteristics and other clinical indicators between the two groups. In WF group, the ucOC levels were significantly higher than those in the non-WF group (10.3 ± 0.8 vs. 3.4 ± 0.9 ng/mL; P < 0.01), similarly, the RANKL levels in the WF group were higher than those in the non-WF group (0.60 ± 0.06 vs. 0.37 ± 0.05 ng/mL; P = 0.007). Moreover, RH-PAT index was significantly lower in the WF group compared to those in the non-WF group (1.48 ± 0.11 vs. 1.88 ± 0.12; P = 0.017).Conclusions
Long-term warfarin therapy may be associated with bone mineral loss and vascular calcification in 60-80 year old hypertensive patients.
SUBMITTER: Namba S
PROVIDER: S-EPMC4661704 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Dec
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Namba Sayaka S Yamaoka-Tojo Minako M Hashikata Takehiro T Ikeda Yuki Y Kitasato Lisa L Hashimoto Takuya T Shimohama Takao T Tojo Taiki T Takahira Naonobu N Masuda Takashi T Ako Junya J
BBA clinical 20150812
<h4>Background</h4>Stroke prevention by warfarin, a vitamin K antagonist, has been an integral part in the management of atrial fibrillation. Vitamin K-dependent matrix Gla protein (MGP) has been known as a potent inhibitor of arterial calcification and osteoporosis. Therefore, we hypothesized that warfarin therapy affects bone mineral metabolism, vascular calcification, and vascular endothelial dysfunction.<h4>Methods</h4>We studied 42 atrial fibrillation patients at high-risk for atheroscleros ...[more]