Vitamins

Question 1

Vitamin B1

Answer 1

Name: Thiamine
Type: Hydrophilic
Function: glucose metabolism, fatty acid synthesis
Deficiency: 1. Beriberi: peripheral neuropathy, lethargy, anorexia, oedema + cardio/neuro/MSK degeneration
2. Wernicke’s encephalopathy: ophtalmoplegia +ataxia +confusion

Question 2

Vitamin B2

Answer 2

Name: Riboflavin
Type: Hydrophilic
Function: Protein metabolism and Krebs cycle
Deficiency: Ariboflavinosis- angular stomatitis + glositis + seborrhoea + photophobia

Question 3

Vitamin B3

Answer 3

Name: Niacin- can be produced from tryptophan
Type: Hydrophilic
Function: in oxidation- reduction reactions
Deficiency: Pellagra- dermatitis + diarrhoea + dementia

Question 4

Vitamin B5

Answer 4

Name: Pantothenic acid
Type: Hydrophilic
Function: cofactor of CoA
Deficiency: failure to thrive in infants

Question 5

Vitamin B6

Answer 5

Name: Pyridoxine
Type: Hydrophilic
Function: cofactor in decarboxylation and deamination reactions
Deficiency: Anaemia and dermatitis

Question 6

Vitamin B7

Answer 6

Name: Biotin
Type: Hydrophilic
Function: Essential factor in metabolic enzyme function
Deficiency: failure to thrive in infants

Question 7

Vitamin B12

Answer 7

Name: cobalamin
Type: Hydrophilic
Function: cofactor in nucleic acid synthesis
Deficiency: 60% absorbed in terminal ileum and requires intrinsic factor produced by gastric secretion-> deficiency in resection of ileum or pernicious anaemia=> megaloblastic anaemia; spinal cord degeneration, raised homocysteine

Question 8

Folic acid (vitamin B9)

Answer 8

Type: Hydrophilic
Function: cofactor in nucleic acid metabolism- needed for RBC maturation
Deficiency: -in IBD/malabsorption: megaloblastic anaemia; neural tube defects in pregnancy

Question 9

Vitamin C

Answer 9

Name: Ascorbic acid
Type: Hydrophilic
Function: anti-oxidation, collagen synthesis
Deficiency: Scurvy: bleeding tendency and anaemia, impaired healing, osteoporosis, poor dentition, corkscrew hairs

Question 10

Vitamin A

Answer 10

Name: Retinol- from carotene precursors
Type: lipophilic
Function: production of rhodopsin (for low light vision) and mucous secretion
Deficiency: late diagnosis as large hepatic stores- night blindness, dry mucous membranes, follicular keratosis, dry conjunctivae (Bitot’s spots), anaemia

Question 11

Vitamin D

Answer 11

Name: Calciferol
Type: Lipophilic but actually mis-named steroid
Function: Calcium and phosphate homeostasis
Deficiency: Rickets in kids and Osteomalacia in adults- bone pain, increased fractures, muscle weakness; more at risk in high latitude countries, reduced sun exposure and skin hyperpigmentation; also increased risk of CVD, SAD, MS

Question 12

Vitamin E

Answer 12

Type: Lipophilic
Function: Anti-oxidant
Deficiency: Haemolysis

Question 13

Vitamin K

Answer 13

Type: Lipophilic- from diet or ileal bacteria after colonisation from infancy onwards
Function: synthesis of prothrombin and coagulation facotrs
Deficiency: prolonged PT, bleeding tendency