Chapter: Medical Physiology: Dietary Balances; Regulation of Feeding; Obesity and Starvation; Vitamins and Minerals
Pyridoxine (Vitamin B6)
Pyridoxine (Vitamin B6)
Pyridoxine exists in the form of pyridoxal phosphate in the cells and functions as a coenzyme for many chemi-cal reactions related to amino acid and protein metab-olism. Its most important role is that of coenzyme in thetransamination process for the synthesis of amino acids.
As a result, pyridoxine plays many key roles in metab-olism, especially protein metabolism. Also, it is believed to act in the transport of some amino acids across cell membranes.
Dietary lack of pyridoxine in lower animals can cause dermatitis, decreased rate of growth, development of fatty liver, anemia, and evidence of mental deteriora-tion. Rarely, in children, pyridoxine deficiency has been known to cause seizures, dermatitis, and gastrointestinal disturbances such as nausea and vomiting.
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