CC: B Vitamins

Question 1

What is Vitamin B1?

Answer 1

Thiamine

Question 2

What enzymes absolutely require Thiamine/B1?

Answer 2

PDH (pyruvate to A-CoA)
alpha-Ketoglutarate Dehydrogenase (Step 4 TCA Cycle a-KG to Succinyl-CoA)
Transketolase (used TWICE in HMPS/Pentose Pathway/Phosphoglucanate)

Question 3

What results from Thiamine/B1 deficiency?

Answer 3

BeriBeri Dry (CNS encephalopathy + psychosis)
BeriBeri Wet (Cardiovascular)

Cats, Ruminants, Horses DRY BeriBeri
Pigs WET BeriBeri

Question 4

Why do Cats have a particular predisposition towards Thiamine/B1 deficiency?

Answer 4

Raw/undercooked fish contain high enough levels of THIAMINASE to affect the kitties

Question 5

What was discussed as a reason for Ruminants to have a thiamine deficiency?

Answer 5

Certain plants found country-wide contain THIAMINASE.

Bracken Fern and Horsetails in particular.

Question 6

What do you see in Horses with Thiamine/B1 deficiency?

Answer 6

CNS signs. Anorexia, weight loss, incoordination, hind limb abduction (due to lack of ATP for nerves).

Can die within 2-10 days.

Question 7

What is Vitamin B2?

Answer 7

Riboflavin

Question 8

What is Riboflavin/B2 utilized in the body for?

Answer 8

FAD (flavin adenine dinucleotide)

Question 9

Does Riboflavin/B2 have any identifying characteristics?

Answer 9

YES. Its ORANGE-YELLOW color.

Question 10

How would an animal with a Riboflavin/B2 deficiency present as?

Answer 10

Poor growth, failure to thrive, weakness, ataxia, dermatitis, alopecia

Skin problems, and issues with energy.

Question 11

What is Vitamin B3?

Answer 11

Niacin

Question 12

What is Niacin/B3 utilized in the body for?

Answer 12

NAD(H) and NADP(H)

Question 13

What happens to the body in a Niacin/B3 deficiency?

Answer 13

Pellegra 4D’s:
Dermatitis (skin), Diarrhea (GI), Dementia (CNS), Death

Canine BLACK TONGUE –related to Skin issues

Question 14

What is Vitamin B4?

Answer 14

DOESN’T EXIST SUCKA!!

Question 15

What is Vitamin B5?

Answer 15

Pantothenic Acid

Question 16

What is Pantothenic Acid/B5 utilized in the body for?

Answer 16

Acetyl Coenzyme A

Question 17

What is Vitamin B6?

Answer 17

Pyroxidine

Question 18

What is Pyroxidine/B6 utilized in the body for?

Answer 18

Neurotransmitters, AA transferases (gluconeogenesis), and glycogen phosphorylase

Question 19

What is Vitamin B7?

Answer 19

Biotin

Question 20

What is Biotin/B7 utilized in the body as?

Answer 20

Pyruvate Carboxylase – the first enzyme in the gluconeogenic pathway

These are essential for Gluconeogenesis

Question 21

Where does Biotin/B7 come from?

Answer 21

pretty much everywhere

Question 22

What happens in times of Biotin/B7 deficiency?

Answer 22

Deficiencies are Rare due to it’s widespread nature, but:

Decreased appetite & growth, Dermatitis, Alopecia, weak nails, achromatrichia (different colored hoof), Hepatic stenosis, Ketoacidosis, Hyperammonemia, Coma, Death

Question 23

Since Biotin/B7 is so widespread, how could we see a deficiency?

Answer 23

Egg Whites contain AVIDIN. Avidin binds Biotin avidly.

So beware a diet with high levels of RAW Egg Whites.

Question 24

What would be the effect of a high Carb diet on an Thiamine/B1 deficient canine patient?

Answer 24

LACTIC ACIDOSIS

Thiamine is essential for the action of PDH and Alpha-Ketoglutarate Dehydrogenase SO the TCA Cycle would be screwed, along with the ETC.

Pyruvate would backup and the body, in an attempt to extract energy and regenerate NAD+ (to be able to continue glycolysis), would convert Pyruvate to Lactate (lactic acid) ==> LACTIC ACIDOSIS