WATER SOLUBLE VITAMINS

Water Soluble Vitamins – VitaminB & C complex

VITAMINS

Definition:

Vitamins may be regarded as organic compoundsrequired in the diet in small amounts to perfom specificbiological functions for normal maintenance of optimumgrowth and health of the organism.

Classification:

Based on the groups.

nature of solubility vitamins were classified into two

vitaminsFat solubleVitamin AVitamin DVitamin EVitamin K

water solublevitamin B-complexNon B-complex

Vitamin C Energy releasingThiamin B1Riboflavin B2Niacin B3Pantothenic acid B5Pyridoxine B6Biotin B7

HematopoiticFolic acid Cyanocobalamin (vitaminB12)

Water Soluble Vitamins

They are heterogeneous group ofchemically.

compounds - differυ

Common character – solubility in water.Easily absorbed.Not stored in the body except for Vit B12. Readily excreted in urine.Form coenzymes – biochemical reactions.

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Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)

The isolation of vitamin C was carried out by Zilvaduring 1917-1927. He obtained the highly potent substance and noted its reducing properties.In 1928, Szent-Gyorgi isolated an acid with strong reducing properties from cabbages, adrenal glands and oranges. He called it Hexuronic acid.In 1933, Waugh and King isolated vitamin C in cryatalline form, from lemon juice.In 1933, Vitamin C was named ascorbic acid owing its antiscorbutic properties.

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Asscorbic acid is a water soluble vitamin playing an imrole in human health and disease.

Sources:

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In plants abundantly seen in citrus fruits, gooseberries, guavamelons, sprouting seeds, leafy vegetables, spinach, cauliflower,cabbage, tomatoes

RDA:Infants - 35 mgChildren – 40mgAdults – 45mg

and drumstick.

Pregnant women – 60mgLactating Women – 80mg

Biochemical functions:

Most important function of vitamin C is its propertyundergo reversible oxidation.

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Vitamin C plays an importantformation.Acting as a coenzyme.

role in collagenυ

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υ Thereby facilitating cross linkage of collagen fibersand increases its strength.

Helps in bone formation.Plays a role in iron and hemoglobin metabolism. Takes part in the metabolic reactions oftryptophan, tyrosine, folic acid and cholesterol.Enhances the synthesis of Immunoglobulins and increases their phagocytic action.Also acts as a strong biological antioxidant.

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BIOSYNTHESIS AND METABOLISM

Many animals can synthesize ascorbic acid fromglucose via uronic acid pathway. However, man,other primates, guinea pigs and bats cannotsynthesize ascorbic acid due to the deficiency ofsingle enzyme namely L-GULONO-LACTONEOXIDASENOTE

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Oxidation of ascorbic acid is rapid in the presencecopper. Hence vitamin c becomes inactive if thefoods are prepared in copper vessels.

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Deficiency manifestations:

Leads to scurvy, characterized by spongy and sore gums, looseteeth, swollen joints, anemia, fragile blood vessels, delayedwound healing, hemorrhage, osteoporosis etc.Defective collagen synthesis.

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υ “Cork screw” hair pattern with tiny bleeding points around theorifice of a hair follicle.“Woody legs” with large spontaneous bruises in lower extrimites.“Tummer field zone” is the classic histological picture of bone in scurvy.

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Oral manifestations:

Pathognomic sign is the swollen and spongy gums,particularly the interdental papillae is involved producing the appearance of scurvy buds.In severe cases, hemorrhages to periodontal membranes followed by loss of bone and loosening teeth occurs.

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Hypervitaminosis C:

* Ascorbic acid, as such, is not toxic. But, dehydroascorbicacid (oxidized form of ascorbic acid) is toxic. Oxalate is a major metabolite of vitamin C and oxalates have been implicated in the formation of kidney stones.

* Mega doses of vitamin C are used in common cold, woundhealing trauma etc. as an antioxidant, ascorbic acid certainlyprovides health benefits. However, the potential toxic effectsof mega doses of vitamin C cannot be ignored.

Vitamin B-complexB-complex group of vitamins comprise a large numberwater soluble vitamins which are nutritional essentials all forms of life, from the lowest form of yeast andbacteria to the highest form, the man.

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Apart from being important nutritionally, they formessential co enzymes to certain important intracellularenzyme systems. There are about individualcomponents, most of them are synthesized by themicrobial flora.

Components of vitamin B complex are:-

1.Thiamine – Vit B12.Riboflavin – Vit B23. Niacin – Vit B34.Pantothenic acid – Vit5.Pyridoxine – Vit B66.Biotin – Vit B77.Folic acid group

B5

8.Cyanocobalamin – Vit B12

Thiamine (Vitamin B1, anti beriberi, antineuritivitamin)

Free thiamin is basic and heat stable.•

It has a specific coenzyme, thiamine pyrophosphate (TPP),•

which is mostly associated with carbohydrate metabolism.

Readily soluble in water.•

Stable in acid medium.•

Destroyed – autoclaved at 120°C for 30min.•

Destroyed even at room temperature in an alkaline medium.•

Dietary sources:Cereals, pulses, oil seeds, nut and yeast are good sources.Thiamine is mostly concentrated in the outer

liver,layer (bran) of cereals.

Also present in animal etc

foods like pork, heart, kidney, milk,

RDA:Infants - 0.3-0.5 mgChildren – 0.7-1.2mgAdults – Males – 1.2-1.5mg, Females – 1.0-1.1mgPregnant women – 1.3-1.5mgLactating Women – 1.3-1.5mg

Biochemical functions:

The enzyme thiamine pyrophosphate or cocarboxylaseis intimately connected with the energy releasing reactions in the carbohydrate metabolism.

TPP also plays an important role in the transmission of nerveimpulse. This is because TPP is required for acetylcholinesynthesis and the ion translocation of neural tissue.

Deficiency manifestations :

* B1 deficiency is seen in populations consuming polished rice asstaple food.

* The deficiency of vitamin B1 results in a condition calledberiberi.

* The early symptoms of thiamine deficiency are loss of appetite(anorexia), weakness, constipation, nausea, mental depression, peripheral neuropathy, irritability etc.

In adults, two types of beriberi, namely wet and dry beribeoccur. Infantile type of beriberi is also seen.

Wet beriberi: is characterized by cardiovascular manifestationsincluding edema of legs, face, trunk and serous cavities, with breathlessness and palpitations, along with increase in systolic and decrease in diastolic blood pressure.

Dry beriberi: is associated with neurological manifestationsresulting in peripheral neuritis, with progressive weakening inmuscles resulting in difficulty to walk.

Infantile beriberi: seen in infants born to mothers suffering fromthiamine deficiency, characterized by sleeplessness, restlessness,vomiting, convulsions and bouts of screaming, these are due to cardiac dilatation.

Riboflavin (Vitamin B2)

Riboflavin through its coenzymes Flavin mononucleotide (FMN) andFlavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) takes part in a variety of cellular

oxidation-reduction reactions. Involved in carbohydrate, lipid, proteinand purine metabolisms, besides electron transport chain.

Enzymes that use flavin coenzymes are called flavoproteins, Manyflavoproteins contain metal atoms and hence known asmetalloflavoproteins.

Dietary sources:

Milk and milk products, meat, eggs, liver, kidney are rich sources.Cereals, fruits, vegetables and fish are moderate sources.

RDA:Infants - 0.4-0.6 mgChildren – 0.8-1.2mgAdults – Males – 1.5-1.8mg, Females – 1.1-1.4mgPregnant women – 1.4-1.7mgLactating Women – 1.6-1.9mg

Deficiency manifestations:

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Includes cheilosis, glossitis, and dermatitis.Riboflavin deficiency as such is uncommon, along with other vitamin deficiencies.

it is seen

Chronic alcoholics are moredeficiency.Nasolabial seborrhea. Vascularisation of cornea. Scrotal dermatitis.

susceptible to this vitamin•

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Oral manifestations:

Glossitis – The filliform papillae become atropic whilethe fungiform papillae become engorged and mushroom shaped, resulting in magenta coloured tongue.Cheilosis, ocular lesions.

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Niacin (Vitamin B3, Nicotinic acid)

Also known as the pellagra preventive factor of Goldberg.

The coenzymes of niacin are synthesized by the essential

amino acid, tryptophan.

These coenzymes NAD+ and NADP+ are involved in a

variety of oxidation-reduction reactions.

The essential amino acid tryptophan can serve as a precursor for the synthesis of nicotinamide coenzymes.

Dietary sources:The rich natural sources of niacin include liver, yeast, pulses like beans and peanuts.

whole grains,

Milk, fish, eggs and vegetables are moderate sources.

RDA:Infants - 0.4-0.6 mgChildren – 0.8-1.2mgAdults – Males – 1.5-1.8mg, Females – 1.1-1.4mgPregnant women – 1.4-1.7mgLactating Women – 1.6-1.9mg

Deficiency manifestations:

* Niacin deficiency results in a condition called as pellagra.

* The disease pellagra involves skin, gastrointestinal tract and centralnervous system.

* Symptoms are commonly referred to as three D’s. the disease alsoprogresses in the order Dermatitis, Diarrhea, Dementia, and if nottreated may rarely lead to Death (4th D).

* The symptoms of dementia include anxiety, irritability, poor memory,insomnia etc.

Oral manifestations:

* Bald tongue of sandwith.

* Raw beefy tongue.

* The mucosa becomes fiery red and painful.

* Salivation becomes profuse.

Pantothenic acid (Vitamin B5)Pantothenic acid, also known as chick anti-dermatitis factor or filtrate factor,

widely distributed in nature.is

The functions of pantothenic acid are exerted through coenzyme A or CoA.CoA is the central molecule involved in all the metabolisms (carbohydrate,lipid and protein), acting as the carrier of activated acetyl or acyl groups.

Dietary sources:Widely distributed in plants and animals.Rich sources are egg, liver, meat, yeast, milk etc.

RDA:Infants - 0.4-0.6 mg

Children – 0.8-1.2mgAdults – Males – 1.5-1.8mg, Females – 1.1-1.4mgPregnant women – 1.4-1.7mgLactating Women – 1.6-1.9mg

Deficiency manifestations:

Burning feet syndrome – pain and numbnessin toes, sleeplessness and fatigue are features.

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Pyridoxine (Vitamin B6)Vitamin B6 is used to collectively represent the three compounds

namely pyridoxine, pyridoxal and pyridoxamine.

The active form of vitamin B6 is the coenzyme pyridoxal phosphate(PLP).

PLP is closely associated with the metabolism of amino acids.

The synthesis of certain specialized products like serotonin, histamine, niacin coenzymes from amino acids are dependent on pyridoxine.

PLP participates in reactions like transamination, decarboxylation, deamination, transsulfuration, condensation etc.

Dietary sources:Animal sources such as egg

B6.yolk, fish, milk, meat are rich in

Wheat, corn,sources.

cabbage, roots and tubers are good vegetable

RDA:Infants - 0.3 mgChildren – 0.6-1.2mgAdults – Males – 1.6-2.0mg, Pregnant women – 2.5mg Lactating Women – 2.5mg

Females – 1.6-2.0mg

Deficiency manifestations:

* Pyridoxine deficiency is associated with neurological symptomssuch as depression, irritability, nervousness and mental confusion.

* Convulsions and peripheral neuropathy are observed in severedeficiency.

* These symptoms are related to the decrease in the synthesis ofbiogenic amines like serotonin, nor epinephrine and epinephrine.

* Demyelination of neurons is also observed.

* Decrease in hemoglobin levels, associated with hypochromicmicrocytic anemia, is seen in B6 deficiency, this is due to the decrease in heme production.

Biotin (Vitamin B7)Biotin, also called as anti-egg white injury factor, vitamin vitamin H, is a sulfur containing B-complex vitamin.

B7 or

Biotin acts as a carrier of CO2 in carboxylation reactions.

Dietary sources:Biotin is widely distributed in both animal and plant foods.The rich sources are liver, kidney, egg yolk, milk, tomatoes,

etc.grains,

Recommended daily requirement:100-300 mg for adults, but this vitamin is abundantly synthesized by

the intestinal bacteria.

Deficiency manifestations:

symptoms include anemia, loss of appetite, nausea,υ

dermatitis, glossitisBiotin deficiency isdistributed in foodsbacteria.

etc.not common, since it is welland also supplied by the intestinal

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Folic acid

Folic acid or folacin is abundantly found in green leafy vegetables.

It is important for one carbon metabolism and is required for the synthesis of certain amino acids, purines and the pyrimidine-thymine.

Tetrahydrofolate (THF or FH4), the coenzyme of folic acid is actively involved in the carbon metabolism.

THF serves as an acceptor or donor of carbon units in a variety of reactions involving amino acid and nucleotide metabolism.

Dietary sources:

The rich sources are green leafy vegetables, whole grains,cereals, liver, kidney, yeast and eggs.

RDA:Infants - 50µgChildren – 100-300µgAdults – Males – 400 µg, Females – 400Pregnant women – 800µgLactating Women – 600 µg

µg

Deficiency manifestations :

* Decreased production of purines and dTMP is observed.

* Which impairs DNA synthesis.

* Due to block in DNA synthesis, the maturation of erythrocytes isslowed down leading to macrocytic RBC.

* Aminopetrin and methotrexate are structural analogues of folicacid used in treatment of many cancer including leukemia, thesedrugs blocks the formation of THF and hence DNA synthesis isimpaired.

Oral manifestation:

* Glossitis

- The filliform papillae disappears first.

- But in advanced cases the fungiform papillae are lostand the tongue becomes smooth and fiery red in colour.

Cyanocobalamine (Vitamin B12)

Vitamin B12 is also known as anti-pernicious anemia vitaminand extrinsic factor of Castle.

It has derived the names of cobalamine and cyanocobalaminedue to the presence of cobalt and cyanide groups.

Vit B12 helps in the formation of labile methyl groups, forsynthesis of thymine and therefore for synthesis of nucleic acids, and along with folic acid for the normal hemopoisis.

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Synthesis of methionine from homocysteine.Isomerization of methymalonyl CoA to succinyl CoA

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Dietary sources:Not seen in plant foods.Animal sources are liver, kidney, eggs, milk, and meat.

RDA:Infants - 0.3µgChildren – 1-2µgAdults – Males – 3.0µg, Females Pregnant women – 4.0µg Lactating Women – 4.0µg

– 3.0µg

Deficiency manifestations:

Most important is pernicious anemia.•

Characterized by low hemoglobin levels.•

Decreased number of erythrocytes.•

Neurological manifestations.•

Degeneration of myelin sheath and also occurs.

peripheral nerves•

Oral manifestation:

Beefy red tongue – with glosopyrosis, glossitis andglossodynia.

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Hunter’s glossitis or Moeller’s glossitis – which issimilar to “bald tongue of sandwith seen in pellagra”.

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NOTE

Thiamine is practically present in all plants and animaltissues commonly used as food.

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The thiamine contained in theseimproper cooking.Riboflavin is widely distributed and animal kingdom.

foods is destroyed withυ

throughout the plantυ

υ The amino acid tryptophan present in thedietary protein is converted into niacin in thebody.

υ 60mg of tryptophan produce 1mg of niacin.υ So tryptophan present in the foodstuff also

provides additional niacin.υ Intestinal Bacteria can also produce Vit B6υ Isoniazid – drug used in the treatment of TB

antagonist to vitamin B6-Pyridoxin.is

Biotin deficiency is uncommon since it is welldistributed in food and also supplied by the intestinal bacteria.Vit B12 is present only in the foods of animal origin. Bacterial synthesis of cobalamin occurs in the humancolon but it is not absorbed.The only source of cobalamin in nature is via synthesis by micro organisms in soil, water and the animal intestine.

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ROLE OF VITAMINS

* The very structure of the body - the skin, bones, teeth, blood vessels, cartilage, tendons and ligaments - depends on collagen. And theintegrity of collagen, in turn, depends on vitamin C.

* In a report on ascorbic acid in Vitamin Intake and Health, S.K. Gabyand V.N. Singh explain that collagen protein requires vitamin C for"hydroxylation," a process that allows the molecule to achieve thebest configuration and prevents collagen from becoming weak and susceptible to damage. Beyond that, they say, recent evidence indicates that vitamin C increases the level of procollagen messenger RNA. "Collagen subunits are formed within fibroblasts asprocollagen, which is excreted into extra cellular spaces. Vitamin C is required to export the procollagen molecules out of the cell. The final structure of the collagen is formed after pieces of the procollagen are enzymatically cleaved," state Gaby and Singh.

×Without vitamin C, collagen formation is disrupted, causinga wide variety of problems throughout the body.×The oral manifestations of vitamin C deficiency occur chiefly in the gingival and periodontal tissues.

The interdental and marginal gingiva is swollen, bright red,×with a smooth and shiny surface.

In fully developed scurvy, the gingiva becomes boggy,×ulcerates and bleeds. The color changes to a violaceous red.

* The B-complex vitamins, such as niacin, thiamin, riboflavin, f acand

,and B12, are co-factors in energy metabolism and needed in DNARNA synthesis.

* This makes them indispensable for tissue maintenance and theproduction of new cells during development and healing.

* Descriptions of vitamin B deficiencies appear as early as 2600 BC, butmajority of the reports of B vitamin deficiencies originate in the early1900's when these conditions reached nearly epidemic proportions.

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* Epidemiologic and experimental studies conducted in the early 1900'sidentified the most common symptom of B vitamin deficiencies to be the loss of the integrity of the oral mucosa.

* The oral manifestations of the loss of integrity include stomatitis, angularcheilitis, and glossitis.

ConclusionAlthough vitamins are required in minute quantities, they areindispensable for maintaining the integrity and proper functioning of various body systems.

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The clinical applications of vitamins, as far as Dentistry isconcerned, is limited in the present day situation, there may be a time when injection or application of vitamin solutions may itself help in faster tooth movement, helps faster bone formation after the desired movement is achieved.

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Research is yet to take place in this area.×

References

1.Essentials of biochemistry – Satyanarayana.2.3.

Fundamentals of biochemistry – Dr A C Deb.Harper’s biochemistry 25th edition.