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Fig. 3 | Respiratory Research

Fig. 3

From: Vitamin K deficiency: the linking pin between COPD and cardiovascular diseases?

Fig. 3

Triage theory. The triage theory implies that in case of mild vitamin K deficiency the coagulation factors are still activated by vitamin K, however, the anticoagulation protein S in the vascular wall and matrix Gla protein are insufficiently activated. This will lead to both increased thrombosis risk and elastin calcification. Elastin calcification causes elastin degradation and vice versa. Elastin degradation in the lungs leads to lung emphysema. Vascular calcification begins at the elastin fibers in the vascular walls. Only in case of severe vitamin K deficiency, coagulation factors are also insufficiently activated leading to increased bleeding tendency

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