What diseases can vitamin B6 be used for?😵😵😵

In 1926, it was discovered that a lack of a vitamin in mice's diet caused them to induce pellagra. In 1934, a doctor discovered an ingredient that had therapeutic effects on dermatitis in mice and named it vitamin B6. It wasn't until around 1938-1939 that vitamin B6 could be isolated and synthesized. It is a water-soluble vitamin. Pyridoxamine, pyridoxal, and pyridoxine are the three forms of vitamin B6 found in food. The three of them can be transformed into each other. Since pyridoxine is photosensitizing, it gradually breaks down when exposed to light. There are many foods that contain vitamin B6. Meat, whole grain products (especially wheat), nuts and vegetables are rich in vitamin B6.

Pharmacological mechanism of action of vitamin B6.

Vitamin B6 is converted to pyridoxal phosphate in red blood cells. It is a coenzyme and plays a role in the synthesis or metabolism of some neuromediators, nucleic acids, DNA, vitamin B2, vitamin B12, lipids and proteins. In addition, it is also involved in the conversion of homocysteine to methionine. It also plays a role in the metabolism of sphingomyelin, steroids and glycogen.

Clinical application of vitamin B6.

1. Dermatology.

In dermatology, the clinical application of vitamin B6 is very extensive. When the human body lacks vitamin B6, seborrheic-like damage will appear in the eyes, nose and corners of the mouth. Patients also have stomatitis, glossitis, eczema or acne. Therefore, vitamin B6 is often used in the treatment of alopecia areata, androgenetic alopecia, acne, cheilitis, stomatitis, folliculitis, seborrheic dermatitis, and the like. Vitamin B6 is also used as adjunctive therapy for lupus erythematosus and vitiligo.

2. Neurology.

Peripheral neuritis is the clinical manifestation of vitamin B6 deficiency in the nervous system. It is accompanied by tenderness and swelling of synovial fluid (especially in the wrist). Convulsions, restlessness, excitement and vomiting are also clinical manifestations of vitamin B6 deficiency. Therefore, vitamin B6 is used in the adjuvant treatment of autism, epilepsy, drug-induced neuritis, peripheral neuritis, facial neuritis, cognitive impairment, tic disorder, tardive dyskinesia, hand-foot syndrome, and limb numbness. In addition, studies have pointed out that increasing the intake of vitamin B6 in the daily diet can help reduce the incidence of Parkinson's disease. This is because brain cells can be protected from damage by harmful substances such as free radicals by vitamin B6.

3. Gynecology.

For vomiting of pregnancy, vitamin B6 can play a role in reducing. The FDA approved the combined use of 75mg of vitamin B6, 12ug of vitamin B12, 1mg of folic acid, and 200mg of calcium to treat nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. Although efficacy is unclear, 50 to 100 mg of vitamin B6 daily can be used for premenstrual syndrome. However, daily use of more than 100 mg of vitamin B6 has not been shown to provide additional benefits and may also increase the risk of adverse effects. In addition, because vitamin B6 can pass through the placenta of pregnant women, if a woman takes a large amount of vitamin B6 during pregnancy, it can cause vitamin B6 dependence syndrome in newborns.

4. Cardiology.

Patients are at increased risk of dementia and stroke due to hyperhomocysteinemia. The use of 50 to 200 mg of vitamin B6 daily alone or in combination with 100 mg of vitamin B6, 1 mg of folic acid, and 1500 μg of vitamin B12 daily can reduce the level of hyperhomocysteinemia. However, long-term daily use of more than 1 mg of folic acid may increase the risk of cancers such as prostate and colorectal cancer.

5. Urology.

The most common type of urinary stones are calcium oxalate stones. Because vitamin B6 can reduce the production of oxalic acid, it can be used clinically for the prevention and treatment of urinary calculi.

6. Oncology.

Studies have pointed out that a lack of vitamin B6 may increase the risk of cancer. Although not confirmed by research, some experts believe that increasing the intake of vitamin B6 in the daily diet can reduce the risk of cancers such as esophageal, breast, stomach, pancreatic and colorectal cancers. In addition, high-dose vitamin B6 is also commonly used clinically to prevent hand-foot syndrome caused by capecitabine (an antineoplastic drug).

7. Other.

Neonatal hereditary vitamin B6-dependent syndrome, hereditary sideroblastic anemia, leukopenia, vascular restenosis, primary urinary hyperoxalate, metabolic disorders (eg, homocystinuria and cystathione) etheruria), anti-tremor paralysis, cerebral dysfunction syndrome, etc. can also use vitamin B6 as adjuvant therapy.

Adverse effects of vitamin B6.

Peripheral neuropathy such as limb numbness is the main adverse reaction of long-term or high-dose vitamin B6. It is manifested by an unsteady gait. Patients first experience numbness in the feet, then numbness in the hands, followed by severe impairment of vibration and distal position sensation in the extremities. It generally has less effect on pain, touch and temperature. Symptoms generally disappear when vitamin B6 is stopped. However, some patients on high doses of vitamin B6 experience irreversible symptoms. The patient's own disease and the adverse reactions of vitamin B6 are easily confused. Clinical use of vitamin B6 (especially when used in high doses) should closely monitor patients. Drowsiness, headache, nausea, and paresthesia are also common adverse effects of vitamin B6. In severe cases, it can also damage the function of organs. Anaphylactic shock may also occur in patients with intravenous use. In general, regular doses of vitamin B6 are relatively safe. However, long-term or high-dose use should pay attention to the occurrence of adverse reactions.