Pyridoxine (B-6)

• Water soluble vitamin.

• B-6 compounds are pyridine derivatives.

• They are pyridoxine, pyridoxal and pyridoxamine (the vitamers of B6).

• pyridoxine - primary alcohol. pyridoxal - is an aldehyde form and

pyridoxamine is an amine.
• Functions -

• Active form of vitamin B6 - pyridoxal phosphate (PLP - involved in amino

acid metabolism) - acts as coenzyme in large number of reactions of amino
acid metabolism.

• Transamination, Decarboxylation, Nonoxidative deamination, Trans-

sulfuration & Condensation reactions of amino acids.
• Synthesis of coenzyme

• Active form - coenzyme pyridoxal phosphate (PLP).

• PLP can be synthesized from the three compounds pyridoxine, pyridoxal and
pyridoxamine.

• B6 is excreted in urine as 4-pyridoxic acid.

• Functions -

1. Transamination : -

• (integration of carbohydrates & amino acids metabolisms.... how...?)

• Amino acids ----(PLP/Transaminationase)-----> keto acids -------> TCA = Energy.

• Thus B6 is an energy releasing vitamin.

• Transamination :- PLP + amino acid = Schiff base.

• The amino group is handed over to PLP to form pyridoxamine phosphate and
the keto acid is liberated.
2. Decarboxylation reaction: - Some of the α-amino acids undergo decarboxylation
to form the respective amines which is carried out by decarboxylases which are
dependent on PLP.

a) Glutamate → gamma aminobutyric acid.

γ-Amino butyric acid (GABA): It is an inhibitory neurotransmitter derived from

glutamate on decarboxylation hence in vitamin B6 deficiency underproduction of
GABA leads to convulsions (epileptic seizures) in infants and children.
b). serotonin & Melatonin

5-hydroxy tryptophan → serotonin ----> (neurotransmitter). It regulates sleep,

behaviour, blood pressure etc.

serotonin ---->Melatonin - Sleep inducing substance and is involved in regulation

of circadian rhythm of body.

c . Histidine → histamine. It is a vasodilator and lowers blood pressure. It is

involved in allergic reactions.

d . Tyrosine → catecholamines (dopamine, norepinephrine and epinephrine).

3. Pyridoxal phosphate is required for the synthesis of δ-amino levulinic acid, the
precursor for heme synthesis.

4. PLP plays an important role in Transsulfuration (transfer of sulfur) from

homocysteine to serine occurs in the synthesis of cysteine. This is carried out by a
PLP dependent cystathionine synthase.
3. The synthesis of niacin coenzymes (NAD+ and NADP+) from tryptophan is dependent
on PLP.

4. PLP is needed for the absorption of amino acids from the intestine.

5. Adequate intake of B6 is useful to prevent hyperoxaluria and urinary stone

formation.
• Recommended dietary allowance (RDA) :

• Adult - 2 TO 2.2 mg/day.

• During pregnancy, lactation and old age, an intake of 2.5 mg/day is

recommended.

• Dietary sources:

• Animal sources - egg, yolk, fish, milk & meat.

• Plant sources - Wheat, corn, cabbage, roots and tubers.

Deficiency symptoms

• Pyridoxine deficiency causes depression, irritability, nervousness and mental

confusion.

• Convulsions and peripheral neuropathy are observed in severe deficiency.

• These symptoms are related to the decreased synthesis of biogenic amines

(serotonin, GABA, norepinephrine and epinephrine).

• In children, B6 deficiency with a drastically reduced GABA production results

in convulsions (epilepsy).
• Decrease in hemoglobin levels, associated with hypochromic microcytic
anaemia, is seen in B6 deficieny. This is due to a reduction in heme production.

• The synthesis of niacin coenzymes (NAD+ and NADP+) from tryptophan is

impaired.

• Dietary deficiency of pyridoxine is rather rare and is mostly observed in women

taking oral contraceptives, alcoholics and infants.
Therapeutic Uses

Pyridoxine is used for the treatment of:

• Seizures, Down’s syndrome, Autism- psychiatric disorder of childhood.

• Premenstrual tension syndrome (PMS).

Toxicity-

• Pyridoxine seems to be safe at levels of 100–150 mg but taking 500–5000 mg

per day, has shown peripheral neuropathy within 1–3 years.
 Biotin
• Formerly - anti-egg white injury factor, vitamin B7 / vitamin H.

• Sulfur containing B-complex vitamin.

• It directly participates as a coenzyme in the carboxylation reactions.

• Chemistry

• Biotin is a heterocyclic sulfur containing monocarboxylic acid. The

structure is formed by fusion of imidazole and thiophene rings with a
valeric acid side chain.

• Biocytin may be regarded as the coenzyme of biotin.

Functions

• Biotin is a coenzyme of carboxylase reactions, where it is a carrier of CO2.

1. Conversion of acetyl-CoA into malonyl-CoA - catalyzed by acetyl-CoA

carboxylase in fatty acid.

2. Conversion of pyruvate into oxaloacetate, catalyzed by pyruvate carboxylase

in gluconeogenesis.
3. Conversion of propionyl-CoA to D-methyl malonyl- CoA catalyzed by propionyl-CoA
carboxylase in the pathway of conversion of propionate to succinate.

4. It is also involved in the catabolism of branched chain amino acid catalyzed by β-

methyl-crotonyl-CoA carboxylase.
Nutritional Requirements

• A daily intake of about 150–300 μg is recommended for adults.

• Dietary sources

• Biotin is widely distributed in both animal and plant foods.

• The rich sources are liver, kidney, egg yolk, milk, tomatoes, grains etc.
• Deficiency symptoms

• The symptoms of biotin deficiency include anemia, loss of appetite, nausea,

dermatitis,glossitis etc.

• Biotin deficiency may also result in depression, hallucinations, muscle pain

and dermatitis.
• Biotin deficiency is uncommon, since it is well distributed in foods and also supplied
by the intestinal bacteria. The deficiency may however, be associated with the
following two causes.

1. Destruction of intestinal flora due to prolonged use of drugs such as sulfonamides.

2. High consumption of raw eggs. The raw egg white contains a glycoprotein– avidin,
which tightly binds with biotin and blocks its absorption from the intestine.

An intake of about 20 raw eggs per day is needed to produce biotin deficiency
symptoms in humans.