Click to edit Master title style

Vital Elements:
Unveiling the Power of
A, E, K
Presentation made by:
Samiya Mahreen, U n d e r t h e m e n t o r s h i p o f : D r.
Sanjna Jayesh H,
Sambari Bhavitha, Dipti Soni Jaipuriar
Sara Fatima,
Samineni Ajay

1
Click to edit Master title style

Understanding
Vitamin A: From
History to
Biochemistry

2 2
Historical Perspective: Hippocrates' Insight
Click to edit Master title style
• Hippocrates (500 B.C.): Cured night blindness using ox liver, now known for its high vitamin A content.

Definition:
• Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin crucial for various bodily
functions.

Sources:
• Found in animal foods (animal origin) and plant-based provitamins called
carotenes.

Structure:
•Structural Components:
1. Retinol,
2. Retinal,
3. Retinoic acid, and
4. β-carotene.

•Terminology:
Retinoids encompass natural and synthetic vitamin A forms. Retinol, retinal, and retinoic acid are vitamers. 3 3
 Absorption and
Click to edit Transport:
Master title style
• Dietary Retinyl Esters:
1. Hydrolysed in the intestine by pancreatic or intestinal brush border hydrolases.
2. Releases retinol and free fatty acids.
• Carotenes:
1. Hydrolysed by β-carotene 15-15′-dioxygenase of intestinal cells.
2. Releases 2 moles of retinal, further reduced to retinol.
3. In intestinal mucosal cells, retinol is reesterified to long-chain fatty acids.

• Incorporation into Chylomicrons:

1. Retinol esters are incorporated into chylomicrons and transferred to the lymph.
2. Chylomicrons with retinol esters are taken up by the liver and stored.

• Release from Liver:

1. As needed, vitamin A is released from the liver as free retinol.
2. Zinc is believed to play a crucial role in retinol mobilisation.

• Circulation:
1. Transported in the circulation by the plasma retinol binding protein (RBP) in association with pre-albumin.
2. The retinol-RBP complex binds to specific receptors on the cell membrane of peripheral tissue.
4 4
Click to edit Master title style

5 5
 ClickEntry
• Retinol to edit Master
into Cells:
title style
1. Retinol-RBP complex enters cells and binds to specific receptors.
2. Many target cells have a cellular retinol-binding protein carrying retinol to the
nucleus, binding to chromatin (DNA).

• Function Similar to Steroid Hormone:

1. Retinol exerts its function in a manner analogous to that of a steroid hormone.

• Vision:
1. Elucidated by George Wald.
2. Biochemical function in the Rhodopsin cycle or Wald’s visual cycle.

• Proper Growth and Differentiation:

1. Essential for normal growth and cellular differentiation.

• Reproduction:
1. Necessary for reproductive processes.

• Maintenance of Epithelial Cells:

1. Vital for the health and maintenance of epithelial cells. 6 6
Click to edit Master title style

7 7
Click to A
Vitamin edit Master and
Deficiency titleExcess
style
 Causes: Inadequate intake, impaired absorption, and chronic
alcoholism.
 Deficiency Manifestations: Impact on eyes, skin, and growth.
 Night Blindness: Early symptom; increased dark adaptation time.
 Xerophthalmia: Severe deficiency, leading to dryness and
keratinization.
 Toxicity (Hypervitaminosis A): Excessive consumption can
lead to harmful symptoms.

Beneficial Effects of β-Carotene

• Antioxidant Properties: β-carotene reduces the risk of cancers and heart attacks.

• Independent Role: Acts as an antioxidant, not just a precursor to vitamin A

8 8
Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) and Sources
Click to edit Master title style
 RDA: Expressed as retinol equivalents (RE). Daily
requirements for adults.
 Sources:
1. Animal sources (liver, kidney, milk, cheese, butter, fish, egg
yolk).
2. plant sources (carrots, spinach).

Conclusion
• Key Takeaways:
1. Vitamin A is vital for vision, growth, and overall health. Balanced intake from diverse sources is crucial .

• Importance of Awareness:
1. Understanding vitamin A helps in preventing deficiencies and maintaining optimal health.
9 9
Click to edit Master title style

Understanding
Vitamin E: The
Antioxidant

1010
Click to edit Master title style

1111
 Click tois edit
Vitamin E Master
a naturally occurring title style
antioxidant.
hence known as anti – sterility vitamin.
Molecular Structure
• Vitamin E is the name given to a group of tocopherols and tocotrienols.
• About eight tocopherols have been identified- alpha, beta, gamma, delta.
• Among these, alpha -tocopherol is the most active.
• The tocopherol are derivatives of 6-hydroxy chromane ring with isoprenoid
side chain. The antioxidant property is due to the hydroxyl group of chromane
ring.

1212
 Biochemical Functions
ClickE istolipophilic
• Vitamin editin Master title
character and is found instyle
association vith lipoproteins, fat
deposits and cellular membranes. It protects the polyunsaturated fatty acids PUFA) from
peroxidation reactions. Vitamin E acts as a scavenger and gets itself oxidized (to quinone
form) by free radicals (R) and spares PUFA. .

• Most of the functions of vitamin E are related to its antioxidant property. It prevents the
non enzymatic oxidations of various cell components (unsaturated fatty acids) by
molecular oxygen and free radicals such as superoxide and hydrogen peroxide . The
element selenium helps in these functions

• Membrane Structure:
Essential for cell membrane structure and integrity, acting as a membrane
antioxidant.

 Reproductive Functions:
 Vitamin E preserves and maintain germinal epithelium of gonads for proper reproductive
function and prevents sterility

1313
 Click to edit Master title style
• Cellular Respiration:
Required for cellular respiration through the electron transport
chain.
• Prevention of Oxidation:.
• Protects RBC from hemolysis by oxidizing agents. e.g.: Hydrogen peroxide
• Selenium :
The element selenium is found in the enzyme glutathione peroxidase that
destroys free Radicals ,Se is also involved in antioxidant functions like vitamin E.

• Other Functions:
Required for proper storage of creatine in skeletal muscle.
Protects the liver from toxic compounds such as carbon terachlorine.

• Collaboration with Other Vitamins:

Works with vitamins A, C, and B-carotene to delay the onset of cataracts.

1414
•
• Disease prevention:
Click to edit Master title style
• Recommended for preventing chronic diseases such as cancer and heart disease
Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA):
Intake directly related to the consumption of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA).
RDA: Approximately 10mg of tocopherol for men and 8mg for women.
Requirements increase with increase intake of PUFA intake.
Sources of Vitamin E:
Nuts: Almonds, hazelnuts, sunflower seeds.
Vegetable Oils: Sunflower oil, safflower oil, wheat germ oil.
Green Leafy Vegetables: Spinach, broccoli.
Others: Avocados, fortified cereals, kiwi.

1515
• Click
Deficiency
to editSymptoms:
Master title style
1. The symptoms of vitamin E deficiency vary from one animal species to another. In many animals, the
deficiency is associated with terility, degenerative changes in muscle, megaloblastic anaemia and changes
central nervous in symptoms of system. Severe vitamin E deficiency are not seen increased humans except
in fragility of erythrocytes and minor neurological symptoms.

Conclusion:
2. Vitamin E, a versatile nutrient, not only serves as an antioxidant but also plays vital roles in cellular
function, reproduction, and disease prevention

1616
Click to edit Master title style

The Power of Vitamin

K: Journey through
Health and Wellness

1717
• Overview of Vitamin K:
Click to edit
1. Fat-soluble Master title style
vitamin.
2. Unique co-enzyme activity.
3. They are stored in liver.
4. Absorption from the intestinal tract with bile salts.

• Forms of Vitamin K:
1. Phylloquinone (K1): Found in plants.
2. Menaquinone (K2): Synthesized by gut bacteria and in fermented foods.
3. Menadione (K3): Synthetic medical supplement.

• Properties of Vitamin K:
1. Different physical forms of K1 and K2.
2. Sensitivity to light, requiring storage in dark bottles.
3. Vulnerability to irradiation, strong acids, alkaline, and oxidizing agents.

1818
Biological Roles of Vitamin K:
• Click to edit Master title style
Co-enzyme for Carboxylase Enzyme
1. Catalyzes carboxylation of blood clotting factor precursors (II, VII, IX, X).
i) II- Prothrombin
ii) VII- Procovertin
iii) IX- Christmas factor or Anti-hemophilic factor B
iv) X- stuart power fact
2. Formation of γ-carboxyglutamate for activation.
3. Inhibition by Warfarin and Dicumarol as anti-coagulants.
4. Vitamin k also carbohydrates glutamate residues of osteocalcin a protein found in
bones and covert it into its active form.

• Roles in Blood Clotting

1. Mechanism of γ-carboxyglutamate interaction with platelet cell membranes.

2. Formation of complexes leading to conversion of prothrombin to thrombin.

• Roles in Respiration
1. Warfarin and Dicumarol as inhibitors of vitamin K activity.
2. Uncoupling oxidative phosphorylation, influencing cellular respiration.

1919
Dietary Sources of Vitamin K:
Click to edit Master title style
• Natural Sources
Cabbage, cauliflower, spinach, alfalfa, tomatoes,
eggs, butter, cheese, and dairy products.

Health Benefits:
• Bone Health
1. Prothrombin's role in bone metabolism.
2. Correlation between vitamin K intake and osteoporosis.
3. Potential impact on bone density and fracture risk .

• Cognitive Health
1. Link between increased vitamin K levels and improved episodic memory in older adults.
2. Positive association with verbal episodic memory performance.

Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA):

• RDA ranges from 70-140 micrograms /day.
2020
Vitamin K Deficiency Syndrome:
• Click
Causes to edit Master title style
1. Rare occurrence but linked to antibiotic use affecting intestinal bacteria.
2. Excessive loss in diarrheal diseases and lack of bile salts for absorption.

• Effects
1. Increased coagulation time.
2. Profuse bleeding in minor injuries.
3. Hypoprothrombinemia in elderly and malnourished individuals.

• Special Considerations
1. Hemolytic anemia and jaundice risk in infants with excess vitamin K.
2. Importance of early vitamin K supplementation in infants.

Antagonists of Vitamin K:
• Components
Heparin, Bishydroxycoumarin, Salicylates, Dicumarol.

• Mechanism
Act as anticoagulants and competitive inhibitors in prothrombin synthesis. 21 21
Click to edit Master title style

2222
Click to edit Master title style

Thank You <3

23