Pyridoxine
Pyridoxine is Vitamin B6 deficiency. It has 3 interconvertible members namely: Pyridoxine, Pyridoxal, Pyridoxamine.
Their metabolic end product is pyridoxic acid.
So, what are the roles of Vitamin B 6 in our body?
1. It is proven to be one of the key constituents of important enzyme systems
2. It also acts as a coenzyme in the metabolism of glycogen and fatty acids
3. It is necessary for the breakdown of kynurenine, which when absent, xanthurenic acid appears in the urine
4. It is important for normal neuronal function and activity. Deficiency of Vit B6 will upset the complex processes of cerebral metabolism that may result to convulsions
5. Vitamin B6 plays an important role in anemia, hyperemesis gravidarum, cardiac decompensation, radiation effects, skin grafting, INH therapy and in seborrheic dermatitis.
Clinically, deficiency of vitamin B6 has the following manifestations: irritability, depression, somnolence, convulsions, seborrheic dermatitis, cheilosis, angular stomatitis, glossitis and conjunctivitis.
It is very important to eat a well balanced diet to prevent vitamin B6 deficiency. This is available in many foodstuffs like meat, liver, kidney, peanuts, soybeans, and grains. The usual dietary requirement of vitamin B6 is 0.1 to 0.5 mg for an infant, 0.5 to 1.5 mg in the child and 1.5 to 2.0 mg in the adult.