1.5 billion people in the
world obese, meanwhile
925 million underweight
Vitamins
Organic compounds
not synthesised in
the body
required in ug/mg
deficiency causes disease,
which are treated by restoring
levels through ingestion
can be water
or fat soluble
B vitamins and vitamin C
water soluble
Vitamins E, K, A, D
all fat soluble
B Vitamins
Thiamin (B1)
Converted to thiamin
pyrophosphate (TPP)
TPP is a vital cofactor used by
pyruvate dehydrogenase
other enzymes involving
oxidative decarboxylation also
use TPP, such as
a-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase
thiamin deficiency
causes beri-beri
symptoms include muscle
weakness from nerve damage
Riboflavin (B2)
constituent of flavin
coenzymes (FAD/FMN)
Niacin (B3)
nicotinamide/nicotinic acid
components of NAD(P)H
nicotinic acid
lowers LDL-C and
raises HDL-C
nicotinamide is used
to treat skin and
neurological disorders
prolonged high
dosage of either can
result in liver damage
can be synthesised
in the body from
tryptophan
deficiency causes
pellagra
symptoms include:
sunburn-like rash,
diarrhoea,
depressive
psychosis,
eventual death
Pantothenic acid (B5)
component of Coenzyme A
Biotin (B7)
used in either metabolism or
transcription as part of the biotin cycle
prosthetic group for
carboxylases
histone proteins in
nuclesomes
biocytin (biotin covalently bonded to a
lysine) released during protein turnover,
converted back to biotin via biotinidase
Vitamin B6
(Pyridoxine)
required in many parts
of metabolism
converted to
pyridoxal-5'-phosphate (PLP),
which is required for over 100
enzyme functions
transamination
glycogen breakdown
haem synthesis
neurotransmitter
synthesis
serotonin
dopamine
noradrenalin
GABA
modulates action of
steroid hormones
oestrogen
testosterone
Vitamin B12
large complex with
cobalt (III) ion
crucial for 2 enzymes
Nota:
methionine synthase
L-methylmalonyl-CoA mutase
found only in
animal sources
bound in stomach to R-binding
protein, which is degraded as
B12 reaches the duodenum, so
it can be absorbed in the small
intestine via intrinsic factor
problems with this pathway lead to
macrocytic anaemia and
neurological problems
needed for the recycling of folate
all linked in pathways
for DNA methylation
Folic acid (B9)
key to 1 carbon
transfers
tetrahydrofolate is main
molecule involved in this
process
key to biosynthesis of several
molecules, inlcluding dTMP, that
regenerates folate
Nota:
other include serine, methionine, glycine, choline and purine nucleotides
during this process, THF donates a
methylene and is oxidised to DHF,
dihydrofolate reductase is required to
reduce it back to THF, any absence of
this inhibits DNA synthesis so is a target
for cancer therapy
Nota:
methotrexate
aminopterin
trimethoprim
deficiency leads to
megaloblastic anaemia
and neural tube defects
(spinal bifida)
water soluble
Vitamin C
(ascorbic acid)
large role in collagen synthesis,
coenzyme for prolyl hydroxylase and
lysyl hydroxylase
prolyl hydroxylase involved in
hydroxyproline synthesis, which
stabilises the collagen triple helix
lysyl hydroxylase involved in
hydroxylysine synthesis, which aids
cross-linking between chains
deficiency leads to scurvy,
which results in weak collagen
symptoms include
fatigue, joint pain,
muscle weakness,
haemhorrhages,
gum disease
excess vitamin C
consumption can
cause kidney stones
Vitamin E
(a-Tocopherol)
protect from free
radicals - antioxidant
protect from lipid
peroxidation in membranes
fat soluble
Vitamin A
derived from dietary
B-carotene
B-carotene dioxygenase in
intestines cleaves to form
retinal
retinaldehyde reductase forms
retinol using NADPH
esterified to palmitic acid
in to chylomicrons, which
transport it to liver, retinol is
taken up in the liver by RBP
retinol condenses with
a lysine on opsin in rod
cells to form rhodopsin
deficiency leads to
poor vision then
blindness
Vitamin K
phylloquinone in plants
menaquinone in
intestinal bacteria
coenzyme for carboxylases, forming
y-carboxyglutamate from glutamate
factors requiring vitamin K
involved in coagulation
Warfarin is an anticoagulant
that prevents regeneration of
active vitamin K
Vitamin D
cholesterol is a precursor for
vitamin D synthesis
7-dehydrocholesterol is converted
to cholecalciferol (D3) on the skin
through the action of UV radiation
cholecalciferol is converted
to 25-hydroxyvitamin D3
(calcidiol) in the liver
calcidiol is converted to 1,
25-dihydroxyvitamin D3
(calcitriol) in the kidney, this is
the biologically active form
circulates as a
hormone in the blood
regulates
calcium/phosphate in
bloodstream
deficiency causes bone
disease (osteomalacia/rickets)
also linked to cancer risk
Minerals
inorganic elements with
physiological function
required in
varying amounts
ug of 'trace'
elements
g of Na/Ca/K/P
Iron
found in haem proteins
and electron carriers
(cytochrome)
deficiency leads to anaemia
binds to oxygen
Calcium
involved in several processes
cell signalling
neural transmission
muscle function
membrane/cytoskeletal function
blood coagulation
hypocalcaemia leads to
muscle cramps/spasms
calcium levels controlled
by parathyroid hormone
Iodine
vital for thyroid hormones function
inadequate iodine during
pregnancy affects cognitive
development of foetus