David Hunt and Dr. Robert Davidson, Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food Science
In June of 2003 I began studying the metabolism kinetics of vitamin K in the Sprague-Dawley rat under the tutelage of Dr. Robert Davidson. This work has since developed into the body of my proposed Master’s thesis. This letter is intended to communicate the progress of this research.
As outlined in my ORCA grant proposal, the pilot study was designed to examine the distribution kinetics of vitamin K following vitamin depletion. The treatments were carried out as described and tissues harvested at the designated times. As tissue vitamin analysis began, we learned from the primary literature that vitamin E may indeed antagonize the function, and therefore, metabolism kinetics of vitamin K.
We thoroughly discussed this potential antagonistic function within the context of our own work and hypothesized a potential biochemical model. We analyzed the vitamin E levels of the liver cellular fraction where vitamin K function is carried out, the microsome. We demonstrated dietary vitamin E could be detected in the microsomal fraction. We presented these data and our hypothesized mechanism at the 2005 Experimental Biology Conference (FASEB) in San Diego, California. Our work was well received and resulted in potential future collaboration efforts.
This latter work greatly enhances our ability to construct a more accurate mathematical model describing the transport, storage, and activity of vitamin K necessary to evaluate current dietary recommendations. As a graduate student I am continuing the vitamin K tissue analysis begun in fall 2004. Dr. Davidson is my committee chair.
In addition, I am studying the synergistic activities of vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acid with respect to vitamin K and bone health. This completed body of work will be presented at the 2007 Experimental Biology Conference in Washington D.C. Further, a manuscript will be submitted to a communications journal such as the Journal of Nutrition.
Mitchell, G.V., Cook, K.K., Jenkins, M.Y., and Grundel, E. (2000) Supplementation of rats with a lutein mixture preserved with vitamin E reduces tissue phylloquinone and menaquinone-4. Int. J. Vitam. Nutr. Res. 71, 30-35.