Vitamin B6 is a collective term for pyridoxine, pyridoxal, and pyridoxamine. It functions as a coenzyme in many biochemical reactions involved in amino acid metabolism. Deficiency can cause neurological symptoms like depression, confusion, and seizures as well as anemia. Toxicity from high doses over 200mg/day can cause nerve damage.

1. 1

2. 2

3. • Vitamin B6 is a collective term for all 3-
hydroxy-2-methyl-pyridines with vitamin
effects (A): the alcohol form (pyridoxol),
which is also called pyridoxine (PN), the
aldehyde pyridoxal (PL). and the amine
pyridoxamine (PM).

4. • To denote phosphorylation of metabolites
in position 5, a P is simply attached to the
name (PNP, PLP, and PMP, respectively).
These six substances all have the same
vitamin B6 effects, where as pyridoxic acid
has no known function.

6. Pyridoxine structure

7. 7
SourcesPLANT
Yeast, legumes
whole
grains,
cereals.
vegetables –
potatoes ,
cauliflower,
fruits – banana
ANIMAL Liver, muscle
meat

8. 8
Vitamin B6 Pyridoxine
• Liver
• Cereals
•
• Wheat germ
•
• Fish
•

9. 9

10. 10
It is important co enzyme in the intermedullary
metabolism of amino acids and complex
glycolipids.
It is white crystalline substance soluble in
water and alcohol.

11. • PLP is a coenzyme for many enzymes,
mostly of the amino acid metabolism. PMP
also has coenzyme function, but only for
transaminases. As a coenzyme, PLP is
bonded to a lysine R-group of the enzyme.
PLP’s aldehyde group and the amino group
of the amino acids react to form a Schiff
base, causing a shift of the amino acid’s
charges.

12. • This activated amino acid can now be
decarboxylated or the side chain
eliminated. Glycogen phosphorylase,
which is needed to metabolize muscle
glycogen, contains PLP, but it is unclear
how it functions.

13. BIOCHEMICAL FUNTIONS OF
PYRIDOXINE:
1. As co-transaminase: It acts as a
coenzyme in transamination reactions.
GOT [AST] and GPT [ALT] are
transaminases which need PLP as
coenzyme for their actions

14. 2. As co-decarboxylase: It also functions as
a coenzyme in non-oxidative
decarboxylation of some aminoacids or
their derivatives.

15. Tyrosine Tyramine + CO2
Histidine Histamine + CO2
3. As Ala-synthase: in the synthesis of δ-
aminolevulinic acid which is an
intermediate in heme synthesis

16. 4. As coenzyme in the conversion of
tryptophan to niacin.
5. Interconversion of glycine and serine by
hydroxymethyl transferase.

17. 6. In transulphuration reactions, where
transfer of-SH group takes place, B6 is
needed.
7. In synthesis of sphingosine
8. Intramitochondrial fatty acid synthesis
9. Intestinal absorption of aminoacids
10.Transport of K+
. B6 is reported to promote
transport of K+
across the membrane.

18. 11.Synthesis of CoA-SH from pantothenic
acid needs B6
. in B6
deficiency CoA level of
the liver is decreased.
12.B6
acts as a coenzyme for glycine
Synthase.

19. 19
Absorption & excretion
It is readily absorbed in the jejunum & ileum
of small intestine
Widely distributed in various tissues a
Excretion – mainly from kidney but small
quantities through feces and sweat

20. VITAMIN B6 FUNCTIONS

21. BIOCHEMISTRY PEARLS
• Thiamine (vitamin B1) is an important water-
soluble vitamin that, in its active form of
thiamine pyrophosphate, is used as a
cofactor in enzymatic reactions that involve
the transfer of an aldehyde group.

22. • Thiamine deficiency is uncommon except
in alcoholics who, as a consequence of
nutritional deficiencies and malabsorption,
may become deficient.

23. • Thiamine classic clinical triad of dementia,
ataxia (difficulty with walking), and eye
findings may be seen, but more commonly,
only forgetfulness is noted.

24. • Thiamine pyrophosphate is also an
important cofactor for many
dehydrogenase reactions as well as the
transketolase reactions in the pentose
phosphate pathway of carbohydrate
metabolism.

25. 25
Daily requirement
Men – women – 2 mg
Children – 1.7 mg.
Infant – 0.1-0.4 mg

27. DEFICIENCY OF VITAMIN B 6
• Weakness
• Sleeplessness
• Peripheral neuropathy
• Personality changes
• Dermatitis
• Glossitis

28. 28
DEFICIENCY
Anemia
Nerve damage
Seizures
Peripheral Neuropathy
Nausea, loss of appetite, drowsiness.

29. DEFICIENCY
Neurological symptoms
• Depression
• Irritability
• Nervousness
• Mental confusion
• Convulsions
• Peripheral neuropathy
• Demyelination of neurons

30. Anaemia
• Hypochromic microcytic anaemia d/t
reduced heme production.
Pyridoxine deficiencies are mostly seen in
women taking OCPs, alcoholics infants
and those on ATT especially INH

31. Vitamin B6 Deficiency
(Pyridoxine)
(Deficiency causes:
• Depression (Sadness)
• Dizziness (Faintness)
• Nausea (Vomiting)
• Sores in the mouth
• Dizziness (Faintness)

33. TOXICITY
• Large dose of vit b6 cause severe nerve damage.
• Two B vitamins that should be avoided are vitamin
B15(pangamic acid) and vitamin b17 (laetrile)
• Laetrile contains 6% cyanide by weight , and has
caused chronic cyanide poisoning and death.
• Too much B-6 in the body can result in night
restlessness a vivid dream recall.

34. • More than 200 mg/day cause peripheral
neuropathy
• Doses higher than 500 mg/day may be
toxic, leading to serious central nervous
system problems, pain in the arms and
legs, a numbness or tingling in the hands
and feet, clumsiness, loss of balance, and
difficulty in walking.

35. • High doses of B-6 can lead to increased
susceptibility to cadmium toxicity, cause
peripheral neuropathy

36. 36
MANAGEMENT
Depending on severity, dosage up to 100mg /
day given.

37. VITAMIN B6 (Pyridoxine)
SOURCE
 Yeast
 Rice polishing
 Germinal portion
of seeds
 Liver
 kidney
 Fish
RDA: 2-2.2 mg/day

38. FUNCTION
Active form is Pyridoxal Phosphate (PLP).It
serves as coenzyme in various bio-
chemical reactions like Transaminase,
Decarboxylation, Deamination.

39. 39
FUNCTIONS
Assists in the balancing of Sodium and
Potassium levels.
Promotes RBC production.
Production of Serotonin, Dopamine,
Noradrenaline and Adrenaline