Fat Soluble Vitamins

Vitamin A
Two groups:
- Retinoids (Animal origin)
o Retinol
o Retinaldehyde/
Retinal
o Retinoic Acid
- Carotenoids (Plant origin)
Functions:
Constituent of visual
pigments (Retinal)
o -carotene from
diet enzymatically
converted to cisretinal, which
becomes transretinal when light is
absorbed
o Co-factor for
protein rhodopsin
o Visual cycle:

Vitamin D

Vitamin K

Functions:
Regulate bone
mineralization
o Calcitriol increases
deposition of
calcium salts in
bone.
Regulate calcium
concentration
o intestinal
calcium absorption
o reabsorption of
calcium ion from
kidney
Others;
o Insulin secretion
o Synthesis and
secretion of
thyroid and
parathyroid
hormones
o Inhibit prod. of IL
by T-cells and Ig
by B-cells
o Differentiation if
monocyte
precursor cells
o Modulate cell

Compounds:
- K1 Phylloquinone (found
in green veggies)
- K2 Menaquinone
(synthesized by
intestinal bact.)
- K3 Menadione and
menadiol diacetate
(metabolized to
phylloquinone)

Vitamin E
Comprised of:
- Tocopherols
- Tocotrienols
Functions:
Major lipid soluble
antioxidant in cell
membranes and plasma
lipoproteins
Maintain fluidity of cell
membranes
Have a role in cell
signalling
Deficiency:
- Fetal resorption
- Testicular atrophy
- In infants: haemolytic
anemia due to inadequate
vitamin reserves
- Inability to absorb
vitamins due to cystic
fibrosis, fat
malabsorption, and some
forms of chronic liver ds.

proliferation

Essential for
normal differentiation of
epithelial cells into
specialized tissue
o Pancreatic and
mucus-secreting
cells
Growth
o Vit. A deprivation
cause loss of
appetite due to
keratinization of
taste buds.
o Bone growth slow
and CNS damage.
Reproduction (Retinal and
Retinol)
o Support
spermatogenesis
and prevent fetal
resorption.

Sources:
Pre-formed ingestion in
diet (Pro-vitamins)
o D2= ergocalciferol
o D3= cholecalciferol
Formed in sun-exposed
skin (D3)

25-OH D3 = storage form

1,25-(OH)2 D3 (calcitriol) =
active form
D3 also from animal
sources; fish oil, egg yolk

Deficiency
- Causes; inadequate

Functions:
- Catalyzes carboxylation of
glutamic acid residues
on blood clotting
proteins

cofactor for glutamyl

carboxylase

allows Ca2+
binding site

necessary for the

synthesis of
clotting factors II
(prothrombin),
VII, IX, X, and
protein C and S

Activated by epoxide
reductase
o

Inhibited by
warfarin, which
is a vitamin K

Antioxidant
o Reduce risk of
tissue injury and
cancer by
neutralizing free
radicals

Source
- Plant sources: Yellow and
orange fruits
- Animal sources: Animal
liver, fish liver oils, egg
yolk, kidney, milk, butter.
Deficiency signs in the eyes
- Earliest sign; sensitivity to
green light inability to
adapt to dim light night
blindness (nyctalopia).
- Most prolonged:
xerophthalmia.
- Vit A differentiates
immune system cells:
susceptibility to
infectious ds.
- Other; conjunctival
xerosis, Bitots spot,
corneal ulcer, blindness,
keratomalacia, infection.
Other manifestations:

exposure to sunlight,
excessive use of veil.
Rickets in children
Osteomalacia in adults;
impared calcium salt
deposition

antagonist

Excess
- Calcinosis: calcification of
the soft tissues

As an antidote to
warfarin
overdose

Warfarin
contraindicated
in pregnant
women

Deficiency:
-

Abnormal precursor of
prothrombin
(preprothrombin) which
contains little or no carboxyglutamate which
is incapable of chelating
calcium, is released in
the circulation.

Source:
-

Normal gut bacterial

flora
Green vegetables

Growth retarded
Reproduction: sterility in
male, failure to conceive
in female
Skin: toad skin.

Excess Vitamin A:
CNS: headache, nausea,
ataxia, anorexia. [Due to
increased CSF pressure]
Liver: hepatomegaly,
hyperlipidemia
Ca homeostasis: long bone
thickening, hypercalcemia,
calcification of soft tissues
Skin: excessive dryness