Background of the study:

Results from several studies show that vitamin K has an important function in bone metabolism. In a previous cross-sectional study conducted by our department, evidence for a poor vitamin K status of bone during growth in children was found (unpublished data, accepted for publication Pediatric Research, october 2006). These findings justify clinical intervention studies in which bone quality is monitored as a function of long-term vitamin K-supplementation. Before a long-term intervention study is undertaken, it is important to determine the effect of vitamin K administration on osteocalcin carboxylation in this specific population. Although the relationship between increased vitamin K intake and osteocalcin carboxylation was already clearly demonstrated in several adult groups (e.g. healthy adults, postmenopausal women), this has never been shown in children.

Objective of the study:

To study the effect of a vitamin K-containing food supplement (menaquinone 7) on osteocalcin carboxylation in healthy children between 6 and 10 years of age in the Netherlands.

Study design:

Randomised double-blind placebo-controlled intervention study.

Study population:

55 healthy children (boys and girls) between 6 and 10 years, recruited from primary schools.

Intervention:

The subjects are randomised into two groups:

• placebo group: during 8 weeks, 27 children will receive one tablet of placebo- food supplement per day
• treatment group: during 8 weeks, 28 children will receive one tablet of food supplement per day containing 45 µg vitamin K2.

Primary study parameters/outcome of the study:

Undercarboxylated (ucOC) and carboxylated (cOC) fractions of osteocalcin will be measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Both the ucOC fraction and the ucOC/cOC ratio (UCR) are sensitive indicators for the vitamin K status of bone. Elevated levels of UCR are indicative of an inferior vitamin K status of bone. The main study parameters are the mean percentages of change in serum undercarboxylated osteocalcin (ucOC) and UCR from baseline (t=0) to endpoint (t=8 weeks) in both treatment groups.

Secondary study parameters/outcome of the study (if applicable):

The secondary end points are the percentages of change in serum vitamin K levels in relation to lipid metabolism markers from baseline to endpoint in each individual.

Furthermore, the percentages of changes in serum BAP and NTX from baseline to endpoint in each individual are considered to be endpoints as well.