Pellagra may also occur as the result of a variety of (relatively rare) conditions affecting tryptophan metabolism and as a side-effect of the number of drugs that inhibit tryptophan metabolism. In alcoholics, it is unclear whether pellagra is the result of an impairment of tryptophan and the niacin metabolism directly attributable to alcohol, or whether it reflects general under nutrition among the people who obtain a considerable proportion on their energy needs from alcohol, and hence have the low intake of (nutrient rich) foods(Goldberger et al.,1922a). SYMPTOMS The major symptoms of pellagra are dermatitis, dementia, and diarrhea. This is because niacin deficiency is most noticeable in the body parts with high rates of cell turnover, such as the skin or gastrointestinal tract (Goldberger et al., 1923).

1. BY DR.SREEREMYA.S
FACULTY OF BIOLOGY