Summary
Purpose: The pathophysiologic relationship between vitamin K and glaucoma remains largely unknown. The aim of the study was to explore the effect of dietary vitamin K supplementation in a rat glaucoma model.
Results: We observed a significant declined IOP at 2 weeks after surgery in the high Vitamin K1 group compared with the control group.
High Vitamin K1 significantly inhibited the loss of retinal ganglion cells in the retina and increased the expression of matrix gla protein. High Vit K1 also ameliorated the collapsed trabecular meshwork structure and increased collagen staining in the trabecular meshwork.
Conclusions: High Vitamin K1 intake protected etinal ganglion cells against loss during glaucomatous injury.
The authors hypothesize this protection may be due to Vitamin K1 increasing the expression of matrix gla protein.
A decrease in the IOP at 2 weeks after surgery was observed in the high Vit K1 group, implying a potential effect of Vit K1 on aqueous humor outflow.
Retinal ganglion cell protection by high Vit K1 supplementation may be due to the IOP-lowering effects as well as neuroprotective effect. Further research is required to delineate these processes.