Water-Soluble Vitamins Flashcards
1
Q
What are vitamins?
A
Organic, essential molecules that are required in tiny amounts to maintain normal growth, development, and metabolism
2
Q
Can we synthesize vitamins?
A
We cannot synthesize them or cannot synthesize them in adequate mounts
3
Q
Which vitamins are synthesized by our gut bacteria?
A
Vitamin K and biotin
4
Q
Which vitamins are synthesized by our body from precursors?
A
Vitamin D (from cholesterol) and niacin (from tryptophan)
5
Q
What are the water-soluble vitamins?
A
B-complex and vitamin C
6
Q
How are vitamins different from carbohydrates, fats, and proteins?
A
Organic, no calories, micronutrients
7
Q
Factors influencing bioavailability?
A
efficiency of digestion and time of transit in the GI-tract, method of food preparation, previous nurtrient intake and nutrition status, source of nutrient (synthetic, fortified, or naturally occurring), other foods consumed at same time
8
Q
In food, what are most water-soluble vitamins bound to?
A
protein
9
Q
Where is the unbound vitamin absorbed (excluding vitamin B12)?
A
Unbound free vitamins are absorbed in the upper portion of the small intestine
10
Q
Where is unbound vitamin B12 absorbed?
A
Vitamin B12 is absorbed in the ileum
11
Q
Once absorbed into intestinal cells, where do vitamins go (excluding vitamin B12)?
A
Once absorbed, they are delivered directly into the portal vein and transported to the liver and sent out into circulation
12
Q
Once absorbed, what happens to vitamin B12?
A
Vitamin B12 is stored in the liver
13
Q
Which two vitamins are not excreted from the body quite rapidly through the kidneys?
A
Vitamin B12 and vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) - takes longer to develop a deficiency
14
Q
How are water-soluble vitamins packaged?
A
Water soluble vitamins travel freely in the blood stream and they are absorbed into the blood directly. (remember, fat soluble vitamins require chylomicrons)
15
Q
Are most water soluble vitamins stored?
A
No. We do not store most of the water-soluble vitamines, but we store the fat-soluble itamins in the liver and adipose tissue.
16
Q
Is encountering toxicity with water soluble vitamins likely?
A
No. Since we do not store water soluble vitains, we do not encounter toxicities unless they are consumed as mega dose supplement.
17
Q
What are cofactors?
A
accessory molecules that are important for protein or enzyme function; can be inorganic molecules such as minerals or organic molecules which are called coenzymes
18
Q
What are coenzymes?
A
organic cofactors
19
Q
Mnemonic for B-vitamins?
A
The rhythm nearly proved fully contagious
20
Q
Name for vitamin B1
A
Thiamin
21
Q
Sources of thiamin?
A
Meat, sunflower seeds, grains, cereal (result of fortification)
22
Q
Active form of thiamin?
A
Thiamin pyrophosphate
23
Q
What reduces the absorption of thiamine?
A
Alcohol consumption and in individuals with folate deficiency
24
Q
Where is thiamine found in the body?
A
skeletal muscles, liver, heart, kidneys, and brain
25
Functions of thiamine?
(1) helps the body's cells convert carbohydrates into energy
(2) non-enzyme roles of thiamine and its phosphorylated derivatives
(3) 4 enzymes that use thiaine as coenzymes
26
What are the 4 enzymes that use thiamine as coenzymes?
Three are dehydrogenases: pyruvate dehydrogenase, alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase, branched-chain alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase. The last enzyme is transketolase which is an enzyme involved in the hexose monophosphate pathway or pentose phosphate pathway
27
Who usually has a thiamin deficiency?
malnourished, homeless patients, in alcoholics and also in patients on weight-loss diets such as Atkins, Ornish and LEArN plans
28
Early symptoms of thiamin deficiency?
poor appetite, irritability, apathy, confusion and weight loss
29
Prolonged symptoms of thiamin deficiency
Beriberi
30
What are the advanced stages of beriberi?
Wet beriberi and dry beriberi
31
Discuss wet beriberi
Wet beriberi affects the cardiovascular system and there are abnormalities with heart leading to edema
32
Discuss dry beriberi
in dry beriberi, there is muscle wasting, and pain, numbness and tingling of the lower extremities making walking difficult
33
What is the disease associated with alcoholism and thiamin deficiency?
In alcoholics, the symptoms can progress to give rise to Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome with encephalopathy and psychosis (Psychosis is a serious mental disorder characterized by thinking and emotions that are so impaired, that they indicate that the person experiencing them has lost contact with reality.)
34
The other name of vitamin B2?
Riboflavin
35
Sources of vitamin B2?
beef liver, mushrooms, spinach
36
What destroys riboflavin?
UV light and irradiation
37
What doesn't destroy riboflavin?
heat
38
How does riboflavin circulate in the body?
Bound to albumin or other serum proteins
39
Where and to what is riboflavin converted to?
Once in the cell, riboflavin is converted to flavin mononucleotide (FMN) and flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD)
40
What are the active forms of riboflavin?
Flavin mononucleotide (FMN) and flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD)
41
Functions of vitamin B2?
(1) prosthetic groups for many enzymes
| (2) involved in oxidation and reduction reaction - example TCA cycle
42
Main characteristic of riboflavin deficiency?
Inflammation of membranes
43
What are some of the inflammation of membranes caused by a riboflavin deficiency?
Cheilosis which means cracks at the corners of the mouth, glossitis which means inflammation of the tongue, stomatitis which means inflammation of the mouth and lips
44
Besides inflammation to membranes, what else does riboflavian deficiency cause?
Sensitivity to bright light, seborrheic dermatitis
45
What is seborrheic dermatitis?
skin condition that causes flaky, white to yellowish scales to form on oil areas such as the scalp, face or inside the ear
46
Is there toxicity report for riboflavin?
No. No toxicity is reported
47
Other name for vitamin B3?
Niacin
48
Source for vitamin B3?
fortified foods - cereal and chicken
49
What are the active forms of niacin?
NAD and NADP
50
Niacin refers to which two structures?
Nicotinic acid and nicotinamide
51
What is unique about vitamin B3?
Our body can make it from trytophan which is an essential amino acid
52
What is the form of vitamin B3 that circulates in the blood?
Nicotinamide (which is the major form of niacin in blood)
53
Function of vitamin B3?
more than 200 oxidation and reduction reactions (production and breakdown of glucose, fats, amino acids and DNA)
54
Causes of a mild deficiency in vitamin B3?
alcohol intake or corn-based diets (corn is low on both tryptophan and niacin)
55
What develops because of niacin deficiency?
Pellagra
56
What is pellagra?
Pellagra means rough skin. Pellagra is a deficiency disease caused by a lack of nicotinic acid or its precursor tryptophan in the diet. It is characterized by dermatitis, diarrhea, and mental disturbance, and is often linked to overdependence on corn as a staple food.
57
what are the symptoms of pellagra?
4 D's - diarrhea, dermatitis, dementia, and death
58
What is unique with the dermatitis in pellagra?
Bilateral, symmetrical development on those body parts sensitive to the sun. Casal's necklace - dermatitis developed around the neck.
59
Side effects of taking mega doses of niacin?
Niacin flushing and itching (treated with low dose aspirin or ibuprofen (advil))
60
How does someone take too much niacin?
Nicotinic acid lower LDL, triacylglycerol and increases HDL
61
Other name for vitamin B6?
Pyridoxine
62
Sources of pyridoxine?
Potatoes, oatmeal, bananas, pistachios, pinto beans
| Think Boppp
63
What are the three forms of pyridoxine?
Pyridoxal, pyridoxine, and pyridoxamine (al, ine, amine)
64
What happen to the three forms of pyridoxine?
Converted to pyridoxal phosphate
65
Importance of pyridoxal phosphate?
amino acid metabolism
66
Where is vitamin B6 stored?
Stored exclusively in muscle tissue
67
Which reactions are pyridoxine involved in?
transamination and deamination reactions
68
What is transamination?
transamination reactions involves removal of amine group from an amino acid and placing it to a keto acid
69
What is deamination?
deamination reactions stops at the removal of the amine group from the amino acid
70
What is the relationship between pyridoxine and niacin?
Pyridoxine is important for the conversion of trytophan (an amino acid) to niacin
71
What else does pyridoxine synthesize?
Pyridoxine is essential for the synthesis of many neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine, and histamine.
72
What is the relationship between pyridoxine and heme synthesis?
Pyridoxine is used in the committed step as a coenzyme for ALA synthase.
73
Which drugs affect reabsorption of vitamin B6
isoniazid (treatment for tuberculosis) and penicillamine (treatment of rheumatoid arthritis)
74
Presentation of patient with deficiency in vitamin B6?
Cheliosis, glossitis, pellagra-like dermatitis, depression and confusion (remember that pyridoxine deficiency may lead to niacin deficiency, hence explaining some of the common symptoms)
75
Pharmacological use of pyridoxine?
treat carpal tunnel syndrome, PMS, asthma, depression, during pregnancy to control nausea and diabetic neuropathy
76
Side effects of high doses?
Irreversible nerve damage
77
Other name for vitamin B9?
Folate
78
Sources of folate?
orange juice, lentils, fortified cereal
79
What is folic acid?
Folic acid is used instead of the natural form of folates due to its stability
80
Structure of a folate?
Ring structure known as pteridine, Para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) which is a bridge molecule, glutamate (usually 3-5 glutamates at the end)
81
Describe folate in foods
In foods, folate naturally occurs as polyglutamate
82
Describe folate in the intestine
In the intestine, digestion breaks glutamates off and adds a methyl group
83
Describe folate in cells
In cells, folate is trapped in its inactive form
84
Who activates folate?
Vitamin B12 activates folate in the cells. Because of this, vitamin B12 picks up a methyl group and is now activated
85
Functions of folate?
(1) synthesis of DNA, RNA, some amino acids
(2) regnerate methionine from homocysteine
(3) red blood cell maturation
86
Symptoms of folate deficiency?
weakness, fatigue, headache, palpitations, shortness of breath - all due to macrocytic anemia
87
What may cause a folate deficiency?
may develop when there is an increased demand by the growing fetus during pregnancy, inadequate absorption due to problems in epithelial cells of the gut such as celiac disease and Crohn disease, cancer therapy and alcoholism, antacids
88
What are examples of folate analogs? What are they used for?
Folate analogs known as antifolates such as methotrexate are commonly used in cancer treatment (leukemias)
89
Treatment for folate deficiency?
Should give both folic and vitamin B12
90
What is the methymalonic acid test?
Methymalonic acid accumulation is an indication of vitamin B12 deficiency.
91
Insufficient folate in pregnant mothers
Results in neural tube defects - main neural tube defect encountered in these babies are spina bifida in which the neural tube does not close completely and anencephale which the brain and skulll are underdeveloped
92
Relationship between folate and heart disease
Folate deficiency leads to increased homocysteine levels. Homocysteine is a known independent risk factor to atherosclerosis.and cardiovascular disease
93
Relationship between strokes and folic acid
Smokers may also benefit from folic acid supplementation which is shown to decrease the risk of strokes
94
Other name for vitamin B12?
Cobalamin
95
Sources of vitamin B12?
animal products only or fortified or fermented foods such as soy milk
96
Synthetic form of cobalamin?
Cyanocobalamio
97
Two active forms of cobalami?
Methylcobalamia and deoxyadenosylcobalamin
98
How is vitamin B12 absorbed? What proteins and factors are involved?
In stomach, 3 things happen: vitamin B12 is released
from its protein partner and it binds to R protein. At the same time another molecule called Intrinsic factor (IF) is released from the parietal cells. Then R-protein bound
vitamin B12 and IF moves to duodenum. Here pancreatic enzymes cleaves R-protein enabling Vitamin B12 to bind to IF. From here to ileum, Vitamin B12 is bound to IF.
At ileum, IF receptors allows internalization of vitamin B12. In the ileal epithelial cells, Vitamin B12 is released from IF and released to hepatic circulation and it is
transported bound to transcobalamin II to be delivered to liver. Due to enterohepatic circulation, vitamin B12 can be sufficient for several years.
99
Who produces R-protein?
Salivary glands
100
Where is the R-protein broken up?
In the duodenum
101
Where is the intrinsic factor released?
In the stomach via the parietal cells
102
Who does vitamin B12 bind to?
First - R-protein
Second - Intrinsic factor
Third - Transcobalamine II
103
Symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency?
pernicious anemia develops (result of destruction of parietal cells - autoimmune disease), nerve damage including tingling in the hands and feet, painful swollen tongue
104
Malabsorption of vitamin B12?
leads to megaloblastic anemia. Mega meaning large, blastic means containing nucleus.
105
Functions of Biotin (B7)
(1) co-enzyme that adds CO2 to compounds
(2) required for metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and proteins
(3) ABC carboxylases - ATP, Biotin, CO2
106
What causes a biotin deficiency?
loss/inactivation of the enzyme important for recycling the active form of biotin (enzyme is biotindiase enzyme). Described in patients who are taking excessive amounts of raw eggs
107
Why do eggs lead to biotin deficiency?
In egg white there is a molecule called avidin which binds to biotin very tightly
108
Is there evidence of toxicity in biotin?
No
109
What is the result of a biotinidase deficiency?
Inability to recycle biotin
110
What causes a biotinidase deficiency?
It is a genetic disorder and it is passed on in an autosomal recessive manner
111
Symptoms of biotinidase deficiency?
Muscle weakness, seizures, eczema, alopecia, developmental delays and lactic acidosis
112
Soures of Pantothenic acid (B5)?
Meat, milk and many vegetables
113
Form of pantothenic acid (B5)?
Coenzyme A
114
Importance of coenzyme A?
essential for activation of fatty acids; therefore important in fat metabolism
115
Function of pantothenic acid (B5)?
Synthesis of fatty acids, triacylglycerol, cholesterol, acetylcholine and cell membranes
116
Deficincy in pantothenic acid? Toxicity in pantothenic acid?
Neither deficiency nor toxicity is known
117
Relationship between vitamins B2 and B6
FMN (riboflavin coenzyme) is important for the conversion of pyridoxine (B6) to pyridoxal phosphate
118
What is needed for conversion of Trp to niacin?
FMN, PLP and iron are required for conversion of Trp to niacin
119
Other name for vitamin C?
Ascorbic acid
120
Symptoms of scurby?
muscle weakness, joint pain, impaired wound healing, loose tooth, bleeding, swollen gums bruised skin and fatigue
121
Source of vitamin C?
many our of veggies and fruits
122
Functions of vitamin C?
formation of collagen, water soluble antioxidant, synthesis of neurotransitters, synthesis of carnitine (important for fatty acid degradation), increases the bioavailability of iron from foods by enhancing intestinal absorption of non-heme iron
123
What does collagen formation include?
Strengthening bones and blood vessels, anchoring teeth into gums, tissue repair and wound healing
124
Why is vitamin C a great antioxidant?
Readily donates it's eletrons to free radicals to reactive oxygen species. Also, reversibility - reduced back to its active form.
125
Importance of antioxidant function?
protects proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates and lipid damage from oxidation
126
What is oxidation?
loss of electrons
127
In collagen synthesis, what is vitamin C's role?
Vitamin C is used as a cosubstrate by peptidyl-proplyl hydroxylase and peptidyl-lysyl hydroxylase. Prolyl
hydroxylase catalyzes the selective modification
of proline to hydroxyproline and lysyl hydroxylase catalyzes the conversion of lysine to hydroxylysine.
These modifications are essential for proper collagen folding. Consequently, the lack of vitamin C results in the formation of non-functional collagen in blood vessels and bones, which accounts for most of the severe bone and
blood vessel related symptoms.
128
Relationship between vitamin c and neurotransmitters
Vitamin C is a co-substrate for multiple enzymes involved in neurotransmitter biosynthesis such as norepinephrine. Lack of neurotransmitters helps explain the neurological dysfunction symptoms of scurvy.
129
Where may a vitamin c definicy develop?
Vitamin C deficiency may develop in urban areas with little or no access to fresh fruits and vegetables and in poor older adults
130
What decreases vitamin C?
alcohol decreases absorption of vitamin C, smoking depletes tissue levels
131
How are patients with severe burns and fractures treated with respect to vitamin C?
Increased dosage of vitamin C with patient with severe burns or fractures (they may develop vitamin C deficiency with normal intake)
132
What are pinpoint hemorrhages?
Another symptom of vitamin C deficiency due to internal bleeding
133
What are scorbutic gums?
symmetrical appearance without infection; result of vitamin C deficiency; seen in patients with scurvy
134
Who should be concerned about excess vitamin C?
People with a tendency with developing oxalate stones (vitamin C is metabolized to oxalic acid)
135
Vitamin C as medicine?
(1) doesn't prevent the common cold but may reduce the severity of the infection
(2) reduces oxidation of LDL cholesterol
(3) As for its role in reducing LDL levels or cancer risk, more research is needed
