The metabolism of vitamin K particularly vitamin K1

Abstract

Our objectives were to study the distribution, transport, fate, and excretion of 2-methyl-C14-3-phytyl-1,4-naphthoquinone (referred to hereafter as vitamin K1-C14) in albino rats. Factors affecting the tissue distribution such as the route of administration, diet, pregnancy, age, and sex have been investigated. A comparison was made of the tissue deposition and excretion of C14 following the intravenous administration of 2-methyl-C14-1,4-naphthoquinone (referred to hereafter as vitamin K3- C14) and vitamin K1- C14 to rats. Isotope dilution tests were employed to ascertain the amount of vitamin K1- C14 that was present in the liver, skeletal muscle, spleen, bile, feces, and urine in unchanged form. Furthermore, attempts were made to isolate the metabolites of vitamin K1- C14 from urine and bile by ion exchange, column chromatography on Celite and alumina, and by paper chromatography.