Calcium is also required to to synthesize the anticoagulant Protein C (along with vitamin K).Ĭalcium deficiencies inhibit proper blood coagulation. Calcium acts as a catalyst for this reaction, speeding up the rate of the reaction to occur within the time frame of the factors involved in the coagulation cascade.

Calcium mediates the binding of the tenase enzyme complexes (via the terminal gamma-carboxy residues on FXa and FIXa) to the phospholipid surfaces expressed by platelets, which in turn activates prothrombin to produce thrombin, which then produces fibrin from fibrinogen.

This enzyme is called tenase, and converts prothrombin to thrombin. Those with vitamin K deficiency produce alternative proteins that improperly bind with phospholipids, which also contributes to the lack of coagulant function.Ĭalcium and phospholipids (a platelet membrane constituent) are required cofactors for prothrombin activation enzyme complexes to function. This can be caused by poor diet, malabsorption in the intestines, or liver failure. Vitamin K deficiency is associated with impaired coagulation function and excessive bleeding and hemorrhage (internal bleeding, often severe). Warfarin’s effects can be overcome by ingesting more vitamin K to reactivate the coagulation factor synthesis pathway.

Warfarin is used in medicine for those at high risk of thromboembolism to prevent the coagulation cascade by reducing vitamin K dependent synthesis of coagulation factors. Vitamin K can be inhibited by the anticoagulant drug warfarin, which acts as an antagonist for vitamin K. Vitamin K also synthesizes Protein C, Protein S, and Protein Z, anticoagulant proteins that degrade specific coagulation factors, preventing excessive thrombosis following the initial coagulation cascade. Factors II, VII, IX, and X which are all important for the intrinsic and common pathways of coagulation. Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin necessary for synthesis of coagulation factors involved in the coagulation cascade. Vitamin K is an essential factor of the coagulation cascade.

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