Niacin synthesis

Niacin is not a true vitamin in the strictest definition since it can be derived from the amino acid tryptophan. However, the ability to utilize tryptophan for niacin synthesis is inefficient (60 mg of tryptophan are required to synthesize 1 mg of niacin). Also, synthesis of niacin from tryptophan requires vitamins Bi, B2 and Bg, which would be limiting in them on a marginal diet. 

Bacillus megatherium, synthesis of vitamin Bu by, IX, 4 Bacillus mesentericus, niacin synthesis by, VI, 186... 

Most foods of animal origin contain nicotinamide in the coenzyme form (high bioavialability). Liver and meat are particularly rich in highly bioavailable niacin. Most of the niacin in plants, however, occurs as nicotinic acid in overall lower concentrations and with a lower bioavailability. The major portion of niacin in cereals is found in the outer layer and its bioavailability is as low as 30% because it is bound to protein (niacytin). If the diet contains a surplus of L-tryptophan (Ttp), e.g., more than is necessary for protein synthesis, the liver can synthesize NAD from Trp. Niacin requirements are therefore declared as niacin equivalents (1 NE = 1 mg niacin = 60 mg Trp). 

A number of genetic diseases that result in defects of tryptophan metabolism are associated with the development of pellagra despite an apparently adequate intake of both tryptophan and niacin. Hartnup disease is a rare genetic condition in which there is a defect of the membrane transport mechanism for tryptophan, resulting in large losses due to intestinal malabsorption and failure of the renal resorption mechanism. In carcinoid syndrome there is metastasis of a primary liver tumor of enterochromaffin cells which synthesize 5-hydroxy-tryptamine. Overproduction of 5-hydroxytryptamine may account for as much as 60% of the body s tryptophan metabolism, causing pellagra because of the diversion away from NAD synthesis. 

Rice bran is the richest natural source of B-complex vitamins. Considerable amounts of thiamin (Bl), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), pantothenic acid (B5) and pyridoxin (B6) are available in rice bran (Table 17.1). Thiamin (Bl) is central to carbohydrate metabolism and kreb s cycle function. Niacin (B3) also plays a key role in carbohydrate metabolism for the synthesis of GTF (Glucose Tolerance Factor). As a pre-cursor to NAD (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide-oxidized form), it is an important metabolite concerned with intracellular energy production. It prevents the depletion of NAD in the pancreatic beta cells. It also promotes healthy cholesterol levels not only by decreasing LDL-C but also by improving HDL-C. It is the safest nutritional approach to normalizing cholesterol levels. Pyridoxine (B6) helps to regulate blood glucose levels, prevents peripheral neuropathy in diabetics and improves the immune function. 

Niacin i LDL and VLDL synthesis i Triglyceride i Cholesterol i VLDL, Tldl, Thdl... 

Niacin (nicotinic acid) reduces the hepatic synthesis of VLDL, which in turn leads to a reduction in the synthesis of LDL. Niacin also increases HDL by reducing its catabolism. 

Gemfibrozil reduces the synthesis of VLDL and, to a lesser extent, apolipoprotein B with a concurrent increase in the rate of removal of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins from plasma. Clofibrate is less effective than gemfibrozil or niacin in reducing VLDL production. 

Vitamin B6 occurs naturally in three related forms pyridoxine (6.26 the alcohol form), pyridoxal (6.27 aldehyde) and pyridoxamine (6.28 amine). All are structurally related to pyridine. The active co-enzyme form of this vitamin is pyridoxal phosphate (PLP 6.29), which is a co-factor for transaminases which catalyse the transfer of amino groups (6.29). PLP is also important for amino acid decarboxylases and functions in the metabolism of glycogen and the synthesis of sphingolipids in the nervous system. In addition, PLP is involved in the formation of niacin from tryptophan (section 6.3.3) and in the initial synthesis of haem. 

Niacin is found in unrefined and enriched grains and cereal, milk, aid lean meats, especially liver. Limited quantities of niacin can also be obtained from the metabolism of tryptophan. [Note The pathway is inefficient in that only about 1 mg of nicotinic acid is formed from 60 mg of tryptophan. Further, tryptophan is metabolized to niacin orty when there is a relative abundance of the amino acid—that is, alter the needs for protein synthesis and energy production have been met]... 

Niacin, a water-soluble vitamin vital for oxidation by living cells, functions in the body as a component of two important coenzymes nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP). NAD and NADP are involved in the release of energy from carbohydrate, fat, and protein, and in the synthesis of protein, fat, and pentoses for nucleic acid formation. Milk is a poor source of preformed niacin, containing about 0.08 mg per 100 g. However, milk s niacin value is considerably greater than indicated by its niacin content (Horwitt et al. 1981). Not only is the niacin in milk fully available, but the amino acid tryptophan in milk can be used by the body for the synthesis of niacin. For every 60 mg of tryptophan consumed, the body synthesizes 1 mg of niacin. Therefore, the niacin equivalents in 100 g milk equal 0.856 mg including that from pre-... 

Vitamins and Minerals. Milk is a rich source of vitamins and other organic substances that stimulate microbial growth. Niacin, biotin, and pantothenic acid are required for growth by lactic streptococci (Reiter and Oram 1962). Thus the presence of an ample quantity of B-complex vitamins makes milk an excellent growth medium for these and other lactic acid bacteria. Milk is also a good source of orotic acid, a metabolic precursor of the pyrimidines required for nucleic acid synthesis. Fermentation can either increase or decrease the vitamin content of milk products (Deeth and Tamime 1981 Reddy et al. 1976). The folic acid and vitamin Bi2 content of cultured milk depends on the species and strain of culture used and the incubation conditions (Rao et al. 1984). When mixed cultures are used, excretion of B-complex vita-... 

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