Neil C. Binkley, M.D.Assistant Professor Emphasis Group: Principal Research Interest: Research Summary: A small body of literature suggests that vitamin K insufficiency becomes common with advancing age. Furthermore, functional vitamin K deficiency is produced by the widely prescribed anticoagulant, warfarin. It is well understood that vitamin K plays a critical role in blood coagulation, but less well appreciated that three vitamin K dependent proteins exist in bone. It is possible that these proteins function to regulate calcium balance. As such, a deficiency of vitamin K could cause dysfunction of these proteins and contribute to bone loss and subsequent fractures. We are currently evaluating the frequency with which "subclinical" vitamin K insufficiency occurs in a normal population. In addition, in collaboration with Dr. J. Suttie, we are assessing the effect of dietary vitamin K insufficiency and vitamin K insufficiency induced by warfarin on bone mass accumulation and subsequent loss in rodents. We are also involved in human clinical trials and will soon begin, in collaboration with Dr. F. Scheuning, head of bone marrow transplantation, to evaluate the effect of bone marrow transplantation upon the skeleton. While organ transplantation and the agents required to prevent rejection lead to bone loss and fractures, this potential complication of bone marrow transplantation has received little evaluation. We will initially document changes in bone density and turnover and subsequently assess whether or not therapeutic agents prevent the anticipated bone loss.
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