Nutritional Diseases Flashcards
What are the physiologic functions of Vitamin A? (3)
- component of visual pigment
- maintenance of specialized epithelia
- maintenance of resistance to infection
What are 5 major symptoms of Vitamin A Deficiency?
- Night Blindness
- Xerophtalmia
- Blindness
- Squamous Metaplasia
- Increased Vulnerability to Infection
What are two clinical treatments utilizing Vitamin A?
- Acne
- Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia (lifts inhibition of DNA transcription induced by a 15:17 translocation involving an alteration of the RARA gene)
Which vitamin keeps tetrahydrofolate (FH4) in the reduced form?
Vitamin C
Which vitamin deficiency will lead to collagen with reduced tensile strength?
Vitamin C- hydroxylation of lysine and proline residues in triple-helix of collagen, hydroxylation allows for anchoring in the cross-linking of tropocollagens
Which vitamin functions as a cofactor in the conversion of dopamine to norepinephrine in catecholamine synthesis?
Vitamin C
Which vitamin suppresses osteoclasts and stimulates osteoblasts, thereby enhancing bone formation?
Vitamin C
Which vitamin has a functions in the intestinal absorption of Calcium and Phosphate?
Vitamin D
Which vitamin allows for the mineralization of bone?
Vitamin D
What is the disease associated with vitamin D deficiency in children?
Rickets
What disease is associated with vitamin D deficiency in adults?
Osteomalacia (Osteopenia)
Which vitamin is required for normal folate metabolism?
Vitamin B12
A Deficiency in Vitamin B12 leads to which kind of anemia?
Megaloblastic Pernicious Anemia
Which spinal cord tracts are degenerated in Vitamin B12 deficiency?
Posterolateral Spinal Cord Tracts
Which mineral is necessary for the transfer and use of one-carbon units in DNA synthesis?
Folate
Which spinal cords tracts are degenerated in Vitamin E deficiecy?
Spinocerebellar Spinal Cord Tracts
What is the predominant cause of Vitamin D Deficiency?
Renal Failure- insufficient- 1-alpha-hydroxylase to convert vitamin D to its active form (1,25 (OH)2 D)–> deficiency in calcium and phosphate absorption in the gut
Decreased synthesis of 7-dehydrocholesterol occurs as a result of what?
Limited exposure to sunlight
Decreased reabsorption of Vitamin D is often the result of?
Fat malabsorption
What are the 5 major causes of vitamin D Deficiency?
- Renal Failure
- Limited Exposure to Sunlight
- Fat Malabsorption
- Chronic Liver Disease
- Enzyme induction of CYP-450
What are some potential consequences of Vitamin D toxicity?
Formation of metastatic calcifications of soft tissues (e.g. kidney), in adults it may cause bone pain and hypercalcemia
A 5 year old presents with bowing deformity of lower extremities, widened epiphyses and bowing of his tibias bilaterally. Radiograph indicates bone mineral density is normal, consistent with failure of osteoid matrix formation. Which of the following deficiencies is this child most likely to have?
Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)- this is a typical case presentation of GROUND-GLASS OSTEOPENIA- SCURVY - If bone mineral density was abnormal the answer would be Vitamin D, "Rickets"- failure of bone mineralization