HPLC and GC/MS determination of deuterated vitamin K (phylloquinone) in human serum after ingestion of deuterium-labeled broccoli

Dolnikowski GG, Sun Z, Grusak MA, Peterson JW, Booth SL · The Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry

Answers the delivery question for vitamin K from a vegetable directly: label the plant, feed it, and find the label in serum. Phylloquinone from broccoli is absorbed and measurable in human blood.

Population

Human volunteers given deuterium-labelled broccoli

Intervention

Phylloquinone eaten as broccoli, isotopically labelled so it can be traced

Comparator

Not applicable

Limitations

A method and tracer study in a small number of volunteers, with no health endpoint. It establishes absorption, not sufficiency and not benefit.