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VITAMIN K (importance), Study notes of Medical Biochemistry

It's a study note which provides the information regarding the importance or role of vitamin k in our body

Typology: Study notes

2024/2025

Uploaded on 01/14/2025

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Role of Vitamin K in the Human Body
Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin essential for several
physiological processes, particularly blood
coagulation, bone health, and vascular health. Its
primary role is to act as a cofactor for the carboxylation
of certain proteins, enabling them to function properly.
Blood Coagulation Pathway and Vitamin K
Vitamin K plays a central role in the blood coagulation
cascade, a critical process that prevents excessive
bleeding when blood vessels are injured. The
coagulation pathway involves two main systems:
1. Intrinsic Pathway: Activated by damage inside the
blood vessels.
2. Extrinsic Pathway: Triggered by external trauma
causing blood to escape from the vessels.
These pathways converge into the common pathway,
leading to the formation of a stable clot. Vitamin K is
essential for the proper functioning of these pathways.
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Role of Vitamin K in the Human Body

Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin essential for several physiological processes, particularly blood coagulation, bone health, and vascular health. Its primary role is to act as a cofactor for the carboxylation of certain proteins, enabling them to function properly.

Blood Coagulation Pathway and Vitamin K

Vitamin K plays a central role in the blood coagulation cascade, a critical process that prevents excessive bleeding when blood vessels are injured. The coagulation pathway involves two main systems:

  1. Intrinsic Pathway: Activated by damage inside the blood vessels.
  2. Extrinsic Pathway: Triggered by external trauma causing blood to escape from the vessels. These pathways converge into the common pathway, leading to the formation of a stable clot. Vitamin K is essential for the proper functioning of these pathways.

Specific Role of Vitamin K

  1. Synthesis of Clotting Factors: Vitamin K is required for the synthesis of key clotting factors: Factor II (Prothrombin) Factor VII Factor IX Factor X These proteins are synthesized in the liver as inactive precursors.
  2. Carboxylation of Clotting Factors: Vitamin K acts as a coenzyme in the carboxylation of glutamic acid residues in these clotting factors. This process converts glutamic acid into gamma- carboxyglutamic acid (Gla). The Gla residues allow these factors to: Bind calcium ions (Ca²⁺). Attach to the phospholipid surfaces of platelets and endothelial cells.

Warfarin Therapy: Vitamin K antagonists, like warfarin, inhibit vitamin K recycling, reducing the production of active clotting factors and thinning the blood. In conclusion, vitamin K is indispensable for the activation of clotting factors via the carboxylation process. Its role in the blood coagulation pathway highlights its critical function in maintaining hemostasis and preventing life-threatening bleeding disorders.