Biologically active vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) is a test based on a microbiological method that measures the total vitamin B6 content in a blood sample.
What are the benefits of measuring Biologically Active Vitamins?
This test measures the biologically active in vivo metabolites of B vitamins. Vitamins' biological action (bioactivity) has more excellent value. It is a more representative indication of their active concentration than the simple chemical measurement of their levels, especially in cases where these indications are used to determine substitution therapy or to check a therapeutic intervention.
The vitamin B6 group comprises three natural forms: pyridoxine, pyridoxamine, and pyridoxal, which, during metabolism, are converted to the enzymatically active form pyridoxal-5-phosphate (P5P). Pyridoxal-5-phosphate (here described as „vitamin B6“) is a cofactor in more than a hundred enzyme reactions. One of its functions is performing transamination, a critical step in breaking down and producing amino acids in the body. Vitamin B6 is also necessary for the synthesis of neurotransmitters, as well as hemoglobin in red blood cells. And vitamin B6 plays a central role in fat metabolism.
Vitamin B6 deficiency symptoms
- Disturbance of protein biosynthesis
- Muscular weakness, loss of muscle control
- Skin disorders (dermatitis, pigment abnormality, etc.)
- Nervous disorders (irritability, depression, palsy)
- Insomnia
Vitamin B6 deficiency can be considered a risk factor for myocardial infarction, peripheral vascular diseases, and atherosclerosis, especially concerning the regulation of homocysteine metabolism.
Vitamin B6 deficiency can result from:
- Chronic inflammatory bowel diseases (colitis ulcerosa, Crohn´s disease, gluten sensitivity)
- Dialysis
- Liver diseases
- Alcohol abuse
- Homocysteinuria
- Pregnancy and lactation
- Taking oral contraceptives or medication for epilepsy or asthma
How are Biologically Active Vitamins measured?
To test the biologically active vitamins, the blood sample is subjected to an enzymatic pre-treatment and then placed in microplates containing microorganisms sensitive to these vitamins (e.g., Lactobacillus fermentum, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus leichmanii, Saccharomyces cerevisiae). The nutrient medium, specific and unique to each vitamin, contains all the necessary ingredients for the growth of microorganisms, except for the vitamin to be measured. When the patient's blood is added to the material, the microorganisms grow until the examined vitamin is depleted. The growth of microorganisms is measured after 72 hours of incubation in a unique multi-channel analyzer and compared to standard concentrations of vitamins. The bioactivity of the tested vitamin is directly proportional to the measured growth of microorganisms.
