Menaquinone-4 (MK-4)

Category: vitamin

Aliases: Vitamin K2 MK-4, Menatetrenone

Pharmacological Mechanism

Carboxylates extrahepatic Gla proteins — matrix Gla protein (inhibits vascular calcification), osteocalcin (binds bone Ca²⁺), Gas6 (axon regeneration). Short (4-isoprenoid) side chain gives MK-4 a shorter plasma t½ (~1 h) than MK-7 but higher tissue turnover. Extrahepatically synthesised from K1 via side-chain conversion — dietary MK-4 supplements the tissue pool directly.

Half-Life (t½)

PO: 1h

Dosing Guidelines

• PO: Typical 133mcg (Range: 100 - 200 mcg)

Target Organ Systems

• musculoskeletal

Interactions

• Vitamin D3
• Warfarin
• Menadione
• Menaquinone-7 (MK-7)