NIACIN (VITAMIN

B3)
What is Niacin? Why do we need
it?
■ Niacin, Vitamin B3, and Nicotinic acid are all the same thing!
■ Niacin is essential for formation of Nicotinamide adenine
dinucleotide (NAD) and Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide
phosphate (NADP)
■ We know that NAD and NADP are VERY important molecules due to
their role in metabolism; without them, we would not be able to
survive
Function and Structure of Niacin

■ Necessary for formation of NAD and NADP

■ Can be biosynthesized from tryptophan in the liver as well
■ Its main role is to accept electrons or donate hydrogen ions
■ Obtained in diet from sources such as yeast, meats, grains,
legumes, and corn treated with alkali (But why does it need to be
treated with alkali, Seth?)
Pellagra (Vitamin B3 deficiency)

■ Corn (or maize) was discovered in the Americas and spread

throughout the world
– Civilizations like the Mayans and Aztecs treated their maize in a
lime water solution
– Niacin is bounded to hemicellulose in mature grains
■ Niacytin
■ In order to obtain niacin from corn, must undergo nixtamalization
When brought to other parts of the world, civilizations didn’t realize that
they needed to treat their corn in an alkaline solution

In poorer areas with lack of other nutrition, corn was cheap and readily
available; BUT people got diseased and died.
Pellegra (cont.)

■ 4 D’s for B3
– 1) Dermatitis
– 2) Diarrhea
– 3) Dementia
– 4) Death
Diagnosis and Treatment of
Pellagra
■ Measure N-methylnicotinamide levels in urine
– Metabolite of nicotinamide
■ Measure serum NAD and NADP levels
■ Treatment by giving niacin in form of nicotinamide, 10-150 mg
orally once daily
– Very rare in developed countries
Board Style Question (BRS
Biochemistry)
Board-style Questions
Questions 11 and 12 are based on the following case:
A 43-year-old female has been on a “grapefruit and potatoes” diet for several months in an effort to
lose weight. She now complains of a rash covering most of her body, a large, beefy tongue, nausea and
diarrhea, and some confusion.

11. Which one of the following cofactors or enzyme complexes would be most affected by this condition?
A)The concentration of NAD+
B)The concentration of FAD
C)The concentration of coenzyme Q
D)The functioning of the FMN components of complex I
E) The functioning of the cytochrome-containing components of complex III

12. To reverse the symptoms described in the patient, a diet high in which one of the following should be
recommended?
A)Green, leafy vegetables
B)Whole grains and meat
C)Citrus fruits
D)Orange and yellow vegetables
E)Chocolate cake
Board Style Question (BRS
Biochemistry)
Board-style Questions
Questions 11 and 12 are based on the following case:
A 43-year-old female has been on a “grapefruit and potatoes” diet for several months in an effort to
lose weight. She now complains of a rash covering most of her body, a large, beefy tongue, nausea and
diarrhea, and some confusion.

11. Which one of the following cofactors or enzyme complexes would be most affected by this condition?
A)The concentration of NAD+
B)The concentration of FAD
C)The concentration of coenzyme Q
D)The functioning of the FMN components of complex I
E) The functioning of the cytochrome-containing components of complex III

12. To reverse the symptoms described in the patient, a diet high in which one of the following should be
recommended?
A)Green, leafy vegetables
B)Whole grains and meat
C)Citrus fruits
D)Orange and yellow vegetables
E)Chocolate cake