Clinical chemistry of vitamin B6

Abstract

This chapter discusses the clinical chemistry of Vitamin B6. Vitamin B was recognized as a distinct vitamin entity and as the rat acrodynia-preventing factor (Gl) in 1934. In 1938, five different laboratories claimed to have isolated a crystalline compound possessing vitamin B. The structure was determined to be 2-methyl-3-hydroxy-4,5-bis(hydroxymethy1) pyridine that was named “pyridoxine.” Most of the vitamin B in natural materials is present as phosphorylated derivatives. In the revised nomenclature of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (II) the term “vitamin B” is reserved for all 3-hydroxy-2-methylpyridine derivatives exhibiting, qualitatively in rats, the biological activity of pyridoxine. “Pyridoxine,” “pyridoxal,” and “pyridoxamine” are recommended names for the alcohol, aldehyde, and amine, respectively. Man cannot synthesize vitamin B6 in vivo, hence its absorption from external sources is required. Vitamin B6 is also claimed for the treatment of carpaltunnel syndrome (E5), schizophrenia (B33), asthma (C23), and Huntington's disease (B34). Vitamin B deficiency has been suggested as a possible contributing factor in multiple sclerosis (M30), carbon disulfide poisoning (G20), carbon monoxide poisoning (N7), cadmium toxicity (S39), and phenylketonuria (L22, S40). © 1983 Academic Press Inc.