1. Dietary vitamin K intake is associated with echocardiographic measures of left ventricular structure
and function in black and white adolescents
Meagan Patterson,1
Joshua Nguyen,2
Mary Ellen Fain,2
Catherine L. Davis,2
Gaston K. Kapuku,2
Bernard
Gutin,3
and Norman K. Pollock,2
1
Augusta Area Dietetic Internship Program, College of Allied Health Sciences, Augusta University, Augusta,
Georgia, USA
2
Georgia Prevention Institute, Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University,
Augusta, Georgia, USA
3
Department of Nutrition, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
Abstract
Left ventricular structure and function parameters have been shown to be independent predictors of
cardiovascular disease events and mortality. New evidence has emerged suggesting that vitamin K may play a
role in cardiovascular health. To date, no studies have investigated the relationship between dietary vitamin K
intake and markers of left ventricular structure and function in adolescents. This study determined associations
of dietary vitamin K intake with markers of left ventricular structure and function in a cohort of 766 adolescents
aged 14-18 years (50% female, 49% black). Diet was assessed with three-seven 24-hr recalls and physical
activity (PA) was determined by accelerometry. Left ventricular (LV) structure and function parameters were
assessed by two-dimensionally directed M-mode echocardiography. LV structure parameters included: LV
posterior wall thickness in diastole (LVPWD), interventricular septal thickness in diastole (IVSD), LV internal
dimension in diastole (LVIDD), relative wall thickness (RWT), and LV mass index. LV function parameters
included: ejection fraction and midwall fractional shortening. Percentage body fat was measured by dual-
energy X-ray absorptiometry. When markers of left ventricular structure and function were compared across
tertiles of vitamin K intake adjusting for age, sex, race, Tanner stage, percentage body fat, socioeconomic
status, physical activity, and dietary intakes of total energy, fiber, calcium, and vitamin D, there were significant
linear downward trends for LVPWD, IVSD, RWT, and LV mass index (all P-trend < 0.05). Conversely, a
significant linear upward trend across tertiles of vitamin K intake was observed for midwall fractional shortening
(P-trend < 0.01). There were no differences in LVIDD or ejection fraction across tertiles of vitamin K intake
(both P-trend > 0.05). In adolescents, greater vitamin K consumption is associated with beneficial alterations in
LV structure and function parameters implicated in cardiovascular disease risk.
Address correspondence to:
Norman K. Pollock, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Pediatrics
Medical College of Georgia
Augusta University
1499 Walton Way, HS-1640
Augusta GA, 30912
Phone: 706.721.5424
Email: npollock@gru.edu
Citation:
Patterson M, Nguyen J, Fain ME, Davis CL, Kapuku GK, Gutin B, Pollock NK*. Dietary vitamin K intake is
associated with echocardiographic measures of left ventricular structure and function in black and white
adolescents. Georgia Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Annual Meeting, 2016. (*Senior author)
Funding Source:
Supported in part by National Institutes of Health grants HL077230 and HL64157 and by Augusta University’s
Intramural Grants Program (grant No. ESA00021).