Vitamins

Question 1

vitamin B1 AKA ___

Answer 1

Thiamine

Question 2

Is thiamine (B1) water or lipid soluble?

Answer 2

Water

Question 3

What is thiamine used for?

Answer 3

important in the catabolism of sugars and aminoacids

Question 4

Causes of thiamine deficiency

Answer 4

alcohol excess
malnutrition

Question 5

clinical consequences of thiamine deficiency are therefore seen first in what type of tissues?

Answer 5

highly aerobic tissues such as the brain (Wenicke-Korsakoff syndrome) and the heart (wet beriberi).

Question 6

nystagmus, ophthalmoplegia and ataxia, thiamine deficiency

Answer 6

Wernicke’s encephalopathy

Question 7

amnesia, confabulation, thiamine deficiency

Answer 7

Korsakoff’s syndrome

Question 8

peripheral neuropathy and thiamine deficiency

Answer 8

dry beriberi

Question 9

dilated cardiomyopathy and thiamine deficiency

Answer 9

wet beriberi

Question 10

What clinical sign can be seen in Riboflavin (Vitamin B2 deficiency)?

Answer 10

Consequences of riboflavin deficiency:
angular cheilitis

Question 11

Is Vitamin B3 (niacin) water or lipid soluble?

Answer 11

water

Question 12

Role of Vitamin B3 (niacin)

Answer 12

precursor to NAD+ and NADP+ and hence plays an essential metabolic role in cells.

Question 13

consequences of niacin deficiency

Answer 13

pellagra: dermatitis, diarrhoea, dementia

Question 14

which TB drug causes Vitamin B6 deficiency (pyridoxine)

Answer 14

isoniazid therapy

Question 15

Consequences of Vitamin B6 deficiency (pyridoxine)

Answer 15

peripheral neuropathy
sideroblastic anemia

Question 16

Vitamin C is AKA ___

Answer 16

ascorbic acid

Question 17

Functions of vitamin C

Answer 17

antioxidant
collagen synthesis
facilitates iron absorption
cofactor for norepinephrine synthesis

Question 18

What is the name given to Vitamin C deficiency?

Answer 18

Scurvy
=> leads to defective collagen synthesis
=> capillary fragility (bleeding tendency) and poor wound healing

Question 19

Features of scurvy (Vit C deficiency)

Answer 19

gingivitis, loose teeth
poor wound healing
bleeding from gums, haematuria, epistaxis
general malaise

Question 20

In what foods is vitamin C commonly found?

Answer 20

citrus fruits
tomatoes
potatoes
Brussel sprouts
cauliflower
broccoli
cabbage
spinach

Question 21

Is Vitamin D, water or lipid soluble

Answer 21

Lipid

Question 22

What is the biologically active form of vitamin D? Where is this produced?

Answer 22

calcitriol
Vit D activated in kidneys

Question 23

Sources of vitamin D

Answer 23

vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol): plants
vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol): dairy products, can be synthesised by the skin from sunlight

Question 24

Functions of Vit D

Answer 24

increases calcium and phosphate
increases renal tubular reabsorption and gut absorption of calcium
increases osteoclastic activity
increases renal phosphate reabsorption

Question 25

Consequences of vit D deficiency

Answer 25

rickets: seen in children
osteomalacia: seen in adults

Question 26

Is vitamin K a water soluble or fat soluble vitamin?

Answer 26

Fat soluble

Question 27

function of Vit K

Answer 27

cofactor in the carboxylation of clotting factors (II, VII, IX, X).

Question 28

What is Vitamin K used for clinically?

Answer 28

To reverse effects of warfarin

Question 29

What could cause a deficiency of vitamin K?

Answer 29

• conditions affecting fat absorption (as it is fat soluble)
• after prolonged use of broad-spectrum antibiotics by eliminating the gut flora