Preliminary Study Shows Positive Effect of Vitamin K2 as MK-7 on Peripheral Neuropathy Due to Vitamin B Deficiency and/or Diabetes Mellitus
Peripheral neuropathy is a common problem faced by a large number of patients. Its etiology is multifactorial. Most common causes would be megaloblastic anaemia and diabetes mellitus. To that end, researchers conducted a preliminary study, which was published in Indian Practitioner, in a series of patients with peripheral neuropathy due to vitamin B12 deficiency and / or diabetes mellitus.
An open labeled clinical study was conducted in 30 patients presenting with peripheral neuropathy and suffering from either megaloblastic anaemia (vitamin B12 deficient) and/ or diabetes mellitus. Vitamin B12 levels in blood were estimated at baseline and during therapy. Vitamin K2-7 capsules (100 mcg / capsule, twice a day) were given orally for 8 weeks. Patients kept a regular record of the intensity of the symptoms during the baseline and throughout the study. Symptoms included tingling and numbness along with weakness, fatigue and cramps. The intensity of the symptoms was assessed on a Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Blood biochemical and organ function tests were studied at the baseline, at the fourth week and at the end of the eighth week.
Depending on the basal VAS score the patients were divided in a moderate group and a severe group. By the end of eight week, the VAS score in both the groups was reduced to 1-2. The intensity, specifically of tingling and numbness, was reduced to a much greater extent. It was of interest to observe that 10 out of 23 patients of Vitamin B12 deficiency group had residual neuropathic symptoms in-spite of adequate levels of Vitamin B12 following vitamin B12 administration. The residual neuropathic symptom score reduced following Vitamin K2-7 therapy. Vitamin K2-7 was well tolerated clinically and found to be safe as per the organ functions in all the patients. No adverse events were reported during the period of therapy.
The researchers concluded that this preliminary study has shown that vitamin K2-7 at a dose of 100 mcg twice a day for 8 weeks was well tolerated and safe with a therapeutic activity for the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy. However, the therapeutic efficacy needs to be evaluated further in a larger sample size, with a placebo-controlled, randomized, double- blind trial.
“While this was a short-term trial with a small subject base, the results are promising and noteworthy,” says Dr. Katarzyna Maresz, president of the International Science and Health Foundation.
Reference:
Kulkarni VK, Upase DP, Dound YA, Jadhav SS, Bhave AA, Mehta DS, Vaidya ADB. The effect of vitamin K2-7 in peripheral neuropathy due to Vitamin B12 deficiency and/or diabetes mellitus: A Preliminary Study. The Indian Practitioner. Vol. 66 No.10, October 2013.