Week 8 Part2 Flashcards
FUNCTIONS of Vit E
-antioxidant
Scavenger of the free radicals
Free radicals: Destroy the phospholipids (cell membrane- so there is loss of
function of the cell membrane)
Once the cell membrane is destroyed it destroys the function of cells/ organs etc. Two cells most vulnerable to free radicals: (1) neurons- made of cell and axons/
dendrites so there is lots of cell membrane (2) RBCs
In the case of Vit E deficiency there is damage of neurons and RBCs
(1) nervous system pathology for vit. E
-degeneration of axons in the posterior columns of the spinal cord The posterior horns are for sensation
So if there is damage, you will get tingling and numbness.
-loss of nerve cells in DRG’s
-myelin degeneration of sensory axons in peripheral nerves.
Can also cause numbness and tingling
-degenerative change in the spinocerebellar tract
Ataxia will occur
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS for vit. E
- absence of tendon reflexes
- ataxia
- dysarthria (people wont talk properly)
- loss of position and vibration sense (because spinocerebellar tract is affected)-loss of pain sensation (because the DRGs are affected)
(2) pathology of erythrocytes for vit. E
-more susceptible to destruction by free radicals
-anemia in premature infants.
No one knows why
RBCs suffer but practically, this isn’t seen in mature people, just infants.
-vit E: inhibits
atheroma formation in atherosclerosis (through reducing the oxidation of LDL)
Narrows the lumen wall
Vit E inhibits this
This is theoretical, but it is not proven yet clinically.
-vit E works well with
vit C and selenium
They work against the free radicals togetherThey are scavengers of free radicals.
Without vit E, selenium is not very useful.
Selenium is a micro element.
Vit K
another fat soluble vitamin which plays an important role in blood coagulation
- clotting factors are produced in liver under influence of vit K.
- this is called vitamin coagulation (C was already taken, so they use the german word for coagulation which starts with a K)
FUCNTIONS: of vit. K
A. –Koagulation (coagulation)
B.- osteocalcin
–Koagulation (coagulation)
Formation of clothing factors 7,9,10
As well as prothombin (clotting factor 2)
-it also participates in some things independent from clotting factors:
osteocalcin
The function of this is to promote calcification of bones
So it vit K participates in bone tissue formation by forming osteocalcin.
DEFICIENCIES: of vit. K
-bleeding diathesis
No coagulation because clotting factors aren’t produced enough by the liver
This is especially important in newborn babies: hemorrhagic disease of
newborn.
The most dangerous is bleeding into the brain tissue: parenchymal hemorrhage.
This disease is typical of vit K deficiency due to non production of vit K by their nongut flora.
NIDUS
-formation in vit A and B6 deficiency -epithelial cells live 120 days
-because of deficiencies of vit A and B6, the lifespan of epithelial cells is shorter: 30 days
-every 30 days there is sloughing of epithelial cells.
-this means that more epithelial cells are being sloughed off and join together and form a
nidus- around which kidney stones can be formed. / urinary stone.
Protein energy
malnutrition
(PEM)
-PEM refers to a range of clinical syndromes characterized by an inadequate dietary
intake of proteins and calories to meet the body’s needs
Common in third world countries.
Common in Africa
-may be a lack of proteins and calories or may be a lack of one of them
TWO COMPARTMENTS OF PROTEINS IN OUR BODY
(1) -somatic protein compartments (proteins are located in the muscles)
(2) - visceral protein compartment ( protein is found predominately in the liver)(liver uses protein for its fxn)(albumin)
MALNOUISHED.
less then 80% of the weight on the table