Case study shows effects of vitamin K2 supplementation for calciphylaxis in kidney disease patient

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In a March 11, 2025, press release, Gnosis by Lesaffre in partnership with Omicron Pharmaceuticals announced results from a case study¹ on the effects of K2 supplementation for calciphylaxis, a condition affecting individuals with poor kidney function and resulting in skin lesions. The study, “Exploring Novel Therapeutic Strategies for Calciphylaxis: A Focus on Vitamin K2 Supplementation,” was published in Annals of Urology & Nephrology in April 2024. The vitamin supplementation used for the study was MenaQ7 K2 as MK-7 from Gnosis. As the explained the study’s abstract, conventional treatments for this condition are limited.

According to the study, individuals with kidney disease can exhibit low levels of Vitamin K, especially hemodialysis patients. Previous studies have suggested an association with Vitamin K deficiency in hemodialysis patients and an increased risk of calciphylaxis, or calcium build up in arteries. The one year mortality rate for individuals with calciphylaxis is 45-80%, with ulcerated lesions associated with a higher rate compared with non-ulcerated lesions. Vitamin K can potentially prevent calcium build up.

The study examined one 38-year-old woman with end-stage kidney disease receiving hemodialysis and experiencing painful lesions on her legs. She started receiving Vitamin K2 (menaquinone-7) supplements at a dose of 360 mcg/day and also increasing dialysis sessions. One month later, the patient reported a reduction in pain and an improvement in the lesions. More healing was reported after a total of two months, and by the third month, the lesions were completely healed. In the conclusion of the study, researchers called for more studies on K2 supplementation for prevention and treatment of calciphylaxis for patients receiving renal replacement therapy or who are at risk for renal disease.

“The paper advocates for more extensive research to validate the efficacy and safety of Vitamin K2 and other forms of vitamin K for use in those with calciphylaxis to help manage symptoms, underscoring the ongoing need for innovative therapeutic strategies in renal healthcare,” stated Kimmo Makinen, Gnosis by Lesaffre head of scientific affairs, in the press release. “We are proud that our K2 ingredient – MenaQ7 — has been relied upon for a critical case of calciphylaxis and that the outcome was positive, giving hope to this population.”

Previous studies have established the safety of MenaQ7, the press release also noted.

“Our collaboration with Gnosis by Lesaffre, backed by years of clinical research and Vitamin K2 experts, has demonstrated the benefits of this essential nutrient for kidney health,” stated Hisham Ramadan, CEO of Omicron Pharmaceuticals. “This partnership has kept us at the forefront of innovative medical research, as our recent case study clearly illustrates.”

Reference

1. Abusharkh, IA.; Beaini, C.; Saffarini, R.; Al-Abbasi, S.; Yamout, H.; Arhda, N.; Guermah, I.; Murad, A. Exploring Novel Therapeutic Strategies for Calciphylaxis: A Focus on Vitamin K2 Supplementation. 2024. DOI: 10.33552/AUN.2024.04.000593.