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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Boston, Massachusetts » Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #58981
Title: STRUCTURE AND MECHANISM OF ACTIVATION OF VITAMIN K ANTAGONISTS

Author
item SADOWSKI, JAMES - TUFTS-HNRCA
item BOOTH, SARAH - TUFTS-HNRCA
item MANN, K - UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT
item MALHOTRA, O - VA MEDICAL CENTER
item BOVILL, E - UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT

Submitted to: Oral Anticoagulant Therapy
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/1/1995
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Not required.

Technical Abstract: The most characterized function of vitamin K is its role in the synthesis of several vitamin K-dependent proteins that are involved in regulating the ability of blood to clot. Several antagonists of vitamin K action in the synthesis of blood clotting proteins have been developed over the past 50 years. The most widely used of these compounds is a drug called Warfarin. This article reviews the biochemistry and mechanism of action of these anticoagulants and the relationship to vitamin K. Theories for the molecular mechanism of action of these coumarin anticoagulants are reviewed. The effects that these anticoagulants have on the vitamin K dependent clotting factors is outlined with many references to the actual literature. Finally, for the first time, the role of the diet is reviewed in relationship to the vitamin K antagonist coumarin drugs. A table of over 300 food items and ingredients is reviewed along with the history of diet in the management of people on coumarin anticoagulant drugs. With the ever decreasing doses of coumarin anticoagulants, a hypothesis is put forth that dietary guidelines will need to be established through future research initiatives if these lower doses of anticoagulants will be successful in preventing heart attack and stroke.