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Difficulty: HardHuman Physiology, Health, and Diseases

Match the water-soluble vitamins listed in List-I with their characteristic deficiency pathologies described in List-II:

  • Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)Beriberi and Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome resulting from impaired carbohydrate oxidation
  • Vitamin B3 (Niacin)Pellagra marked by the clinical triad of photosensitive dermatitis, diarrhea, and dementia
  • Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)Sideroblastic anemia and peripheral neuropathy resulting from impaired heme and neurotransmitter synthesis
  • Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)Pernicious anemia accompanied by subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord

Answer

Vitamin B1 matches with Beriberi and Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome; Vitamin B3 matches with Pellagra; Vitamin B6 matches with Sideroblastic anemia and peripheral neuropathy; Vitamin B12 matches with Pernicious anemia and subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord.
Each water-soluble vitamin fulfills a distinct biochemical coenzymatic role. Thiamine (B1) is essential for oxidative decarboxylation in carbohydrate metabolism, preventing cardiac and neurological Beriberi. Niacin (B3) generates NAD/NADP for redox reactions, preventing Pellagra. Pyridoxine (B6) acts as a cofactor in transamination and heme formation, preventing sideroblastic anemia and neuropathy. Cobalamin (B12) is necessary for DNA maturation and myelin maintenance, preventing pernicious anemia and spinal cord degeneration.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) function and deficiency state
Thiamine pyrophosphate (TPP) is critical for pyruvate dehydrogenase and alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase. Deficiency impairs ATP production, causing Beriberi and Wernicke-Korsakoff encephalopathy.
Identify the primary metabolic pathway affected by Thiamine impairment.
2
Analyze Vitamin B3 (Niacin) function and deficiency state
Niacin forms NAD+/NADP+. Its deficiency manifests as Pellagra, characterized by the 3 Ds: dermatitis, diarrhea, and dementia.
Identify the systemic organ systems affected by NAD depletion.
3
Analyze Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) function and deficiency state
Pyridoxal phosphate (PLP) is essential for neurotransmitter synthesis and delta-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) synthase in heme synthesis. Deficiency produces sideroblastic anemia and peripheral neuropathy.
Differentiate B6-dependent microcytic anemia from B12 macrocytic anemia.
4
Analyze Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) function and deficiency state
Cobalamin is required for methionine synthase and methylmalonyl-CoA mutase. Lack of intrinsic factor leads to pernicious anemia (megaloblastic) and subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord.
Establish the specific neuro-hematological link unique to Cobalamin deficiency.

Key Concept

Metabolic roles and pathological manifestations of B-complex vitamin deficiencies in human physiology
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Topics

Human Physiology, Health, and Diseases

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