Vitamin E (the tocopherols, "anti-sterility vitamin)

No provitamins

Function:

Anti oxidant - protects polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in cell membranes from damage by free radicals (rancidity)

Free radical: compound containing an unpaired electron attacks the -CH₂- between the unsaturated p bonds of PUFA

Vit. E prevents peroxidation by donating H to the free radicals

Peroxide + R-C=C- CH₂-C=C-R ® R-C=C- CH*-C=C-R + peroxide-H

R-C=C- CH*-C=C-R ® (O₂)® R-C=C- (CHOO*)-C=C-R

Current research:

1. Anticarcinogenic compound = initiation & promotion of cancer done by free radicals (Environmental pollutants; smog, ozone, NO, NO₂ also cigarette smoke contains free radicals)

2. Slowing the aging process - protect cells from damage caused by free radicals that form during the aging process.

Deficiency symptoms: - break down cellular membranes - composed of phospholipids and PUFA

1. Muscle cells break down; muscular dystrophy, stiff lamb disease, white muscle disease (loose myoglobin)

2. Rupture of blood vessels Þ accumulation of fluid

Brain =	Encephalomalcia - crazy chick disease - stroke??
Breast =	chickens, exudative diathesis - Dolly Parton disease

permanent sterility in males due to ¯ integrity of reproductive tissue

Vitamin K (the quinines, "anti-hemorrhagic" vitamin)

No provitamins

Active forms:

Phylloquinone - natural form in plants

Menaquinone - form synthesized by rumen bacteria

Menadione - synthetic

 Functions: Blood clotting - required in synthesis of prothrombin - a clotting factor

Deficiency symptoms:

Increased blood clotting time - internal hemorrhaging - sweet clover disease, moldy corn/sweet clover hay.

Karl P. Link

Dicoumarol- produced by molds - a vitamin K antagonist that prevents prothrombin formation - internal bleeding ® death

Warfarin- Rat poison - similar to dicoumarol - rodents die of internal bleeding.

Water soluble vitamins, function in transfer of energy in the body.

Vitamin C

Scurvy - the result of inadequate Vit. C intake (Lymies)

A. Known since ancient times (as early as 1550 BC)

B. Potentially fatal

1. Anemia, weakening of collagenous structures (bones, cartilage, teeth, connective tissue)

2. Swollen, bleeding gums with loss of teeth

3. Hemorrhages in various tissues

4. Delayed healing of wounds

5. Fatigue & lethargy

6. Degeneration of muscles & skin lessions

Synthesis

Most species synthesize except primates (humans), guinea pigs, fish, fruit eating bats, fish, insect, & some birds.

Benefits - suggested effects from megadoses (2.3 to 9-10 g/d) for humans

1. Prevention and ¯ severity of common cold

2. Prevention of cancer & prolong the life of cancer patients

3. Lowering serum cholesterol & severity of atheroscelerosis

4. wound repair & normal healing process

5. immune response for prevention & treatment of infections

6. Control schizophrenia

7. Inactivation of disease viruses

Thiamine

Functions: as a coenzyme in several enzyme systems

Deficiency: Anorexia, Cardiac involvement, & Neurological involvement

Animals = Polyneuritis:

Anorexia is VERY prominent. Neurological dysfunction – birds in particular show opisthotonon (“star-gazing”)

Polyneuritis = Ataxia and incoordination à convulsions à death

Ruminants = uncommon (rumen microbes)

Decline in rumen pH causes increased Bacillus and Clostridial spp., which contain thiaminases that are released in the rumen fluid

Consuming sulfates (thiamine antagonist)

Polioencephalomalacia – young ruminants – inflammation of the brain gray matter, animals respond well to thiamine treatment

Humans –

Beriberi = Mostly in developing countries where polished rice as dietary staple (deficient in thiamine). Symptoms include anorexia, cardiac enlargement, ataxia, dyspnea.

Dry beriberi = adults, atrophy of the legs, and peripheral neuritis

Wet beriberi = cardiac hypertrophy, edema, in severe cases, heart failure. Associated with increases lactic acid in the blood (shoshin beriberi)

Infantile beriberi = breast-fed infants of thiamine deficient mothers (2 – 6 months of age). Rapid onset, death due to heart failure (with-in a few hours). Vomiting, diarrhea, cyanosis, tachycardia, convulsions. Mothers may not show symptoms of deficiency.

Often associated with chronic alcoholism.

Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome = in developed contries, but associated with excessive alcohol consumption. An encephalopathy is produced. Signs range from mild confusion to coma, and associated with severely impaired retentive memory and cognitive function.