Vitamins and Cofactors Flashcards
cofactors
small, non-protein molecules that associate closely with enzymes during enyzmatic reactions and are converted from one form to another in the reaction; metals (zinc, copper, iron, etc)
coenzymes
organic cofactors (mostly derived from vitamins)
vitamins
small, organic molecules necessary for cellular functions that cannot be synthesized by an organism
*precursors for co-enzymes
water-soluble vitamins
the B vitamins and vitamin C
-water soluble because they have lots of negative oxygen and nitrogen atoms to form hydrogen bonds with water
-most wash out in the urine (except B9 and B12, that are stored in the liver)
vitamin B1 name
thiamine
vitamin B1 (thiamine) - where is it found
yeast, legumes, pork, brown rice, whole grain cereals
-high temp (cooking) and high pH denatures
vitamin B1 - absorption
small intestine (esp. jejunum and ileum) via active transport and passive diffusion
vitamin B1 (thiamine) - organs with highest concentrations
heart and brain
vitamin B1 - half-life
10-20 days
vitamin B1 - populations at risk for deficiency
- absorption problems (small bowel resection, bariatric surgery, AIDS)
- storage problems/insufficiency (alcoholics, hyperemesis gravidarum, eating disorders)
vitamin B1 (thiamine)- biochemistry
*thiamine is a cofactor for a-keto dehydrogenases (pyruvate dehydrogenase, a-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase, branched chain ketoacid dehydrogenase, transketolase)
*vitamin B1 also has a role in the initiation of nerve impulse propagation independent of its coenzyme functions
vitamin B1 (thiamine) - deficiency
BeriBeri (wet or dry); Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome
Dry BeriBeri
*thiamine deficiency
*neurological complications (symmetrical peripheral neuropathy, usually involves distal extremities)
Wet BeriBeri
*thiamine deficiency
*cardiomegaly and cardiomyopathy
*heart failure and peripheral edema
*tachycardia
*symmetrical peripheral neuropathy
Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome
*results from thiamine (B1) deficiency
*a continuum
1. Wernicke enchephalopathy (most severe form)
-acute, life-threatening
-nystagmus, ophthalmoplegia, ataxia, confusion
2. Korsakoff syndrome (least severe form)
-chronic neurologic condition
-impaired short-term memory, confabulation
vitamin B1 (thiamine) - treatment for deficiency
IV thiamine, followed by oral supplements
vitamin B7 name
biotin
vitamin B7 - where is it found
yeast, liver, egg yolk, soybean products, enriched in flour foods
vitamin B7 (thiamine) - absorption
proximal small intestine and to a lesser extent the cecum
*gut bacteria also synthesize biotin as a byproduct of proteolytic actions
how do raw egg white disrupt a vitamin?
disrupt B7 (biotin) because AVIDIN binds to biotin and prevents its absorption
vitamin B7 - important organs
skin and nervous system
vitamin B7 - populations at risk for deficiency
*fairly uncommon because of how the gut bacteria produce biotin
*people who primarily rely on parenteral nutrition (bypassing the GI tract)
*people who drink raw egg whites
*absorption problems (small bowel resection, bariatric surgery, AIDS)
*storage problems/insufficiency (alcoholics, hyperemesis gravidarum, eating disorders)