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Vitamin B6: Effects of Deficiency, and Metabolic and Therapeutic Functions

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Handbook of Famine, Starvation, and Nutrient Deprivation

Abstract

The vitamin B6 vitamers include pyridoxine, pyridoxal, and pyridoxamine, as well as their phosphorylated forms such as pyridoxal phosphate , which is a key coenzyme for a surprising variety of enzymes involved in myriad aspects of metabolism. Vitamin B6 also contributes to the synthesis of many neurotransmitters. Given this widespread role, it is not surprising that vitamin B6 deficiency can induce many negative effects including convulsive seizures in infants, developmental delay, hypertension, and susceptibility to atherosclerosis. Conversely, the administration of vitamin B6 vitamers, or the manipulation of vitamer-bound enzymes, has shown promise against cancer, parasitic diseases such as malaria, and Parkinson’s disease. In this chapter, we examine the critical and broad role played by vitamin B6 vitamers and their coenzymes in metabolism, with a focus on the detrimental effects of deficiency and their therapeutic potential.

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Abbreviations

5-HT:

Serotonin

AADC:

L-Aromatic amino acid decarboxylase

AGE:

Advanced glycation end product

CBS:

Cystathionine β-synthase

DA:

Dopamine

DOPA:

Dihydroxyphenylalanine

GABA:

ɣ-Aminobutyric acid

GABA-T:

GABA transaminase

GAD:

Glutamic acid decarboxylase

Gc:

Glucocorticoid

NAS:

N-Acetylserotonin

NE:

Norepinephrine

ODC:

Ornithine decarboxylase

PL:

Pyridoxal

PLP:

Pyridoxal phosphate

PM:

Pyridoxamine

PN:

Pyridoxine

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics, St. Boniface Hospital Albrechtsen Research Centre, 351 Tache Avenue, Winnipeg, MB, R2H 2A6, Canada

    Krishnamurti Dakshinamurti

  2. Departments of Pediatrics and Physiology, University of Manitoba, Biology of Breathing Group, Manitoba Institute of Child Health, 715 McDermot Avenue, Winnipeg, MB, R3E 3P4, Canada

    Shyamala Dakshinamurti

  3. Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, University of Manitoba, Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, St. Boniface Hospital Albrechtsen Research Centre, 351 Tache Avenue, Winnipeg, MB, R2H 2A6, Canada

    Michael P. Czubryt

Authors
  1. Krishnamurti Dakshinamurti
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  2. Shyamala Dakshinamurti
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  3. Michael P. Czubryt
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Correspondence to Michael P. Czubryt .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Diabetes & Nutritional Sci Div Sch, King's College London, London, United Kingdom

    Victor Preedy

  2. Clinical Biochemistry, University of Westminster, Westminster, United Kingdom

    Vinood B. Patel

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Dakshinamurti, K., Dakshinamurti, S., Czubryt, M.P. (2017). Vitamin B6: Effects of Deficiency, and Metabolic and Therapeutic Functions. In: Preedy, V., Patel, V. (eds) Handbook of Famine, Starvation, and Nutrient Deprivation. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-40007-5_81-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-40007-5_81-1

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