Menatetrenone (Vitamin [K.sub.2]) and bone quality in the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis

Menatetrenone (vitamin [K.sub.2]) reduces the incidence of vertebral fractures but has only modest effects on bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. Combined treatment with bisphosphonates and menatetrenone may be more effective than treatment with bisphosphonates alone in preventing vertebral fractures, despite the lack of an additive effect of menatetrenone on the BMD increase by bisphosphonates. Menatetrenone improves bone architecture in ovariectomized rats, and the mineral/ matrix ratio of the bone in terms of matrix volume and bone strength (without increasing bone mass) in rats with magnesium deficiency. Thus, available evidence supports an effect of menatetrenone on bone quality during osteoporosis treatment. Key words: bone formation, bone quality, postmenopausal osteoporosis, undercarboxylated osteocalcin, vitamin [K.sub.2] doi: 10.1301/nr.2006.dec.509-517