Biologically active vitamin Β3 (Niacin) is a test based on a microbiological method that measures the total vitamin Β3 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.
Niacin (nicotinic acid and nicotinamide) is used by the body to form coenzymes such as nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP+). As many as 200 enzymes require the two coenzymes, NAD+ and NADP+, mainly to accept or donate electrons for redox reactions. NAD+ functions most often in reactions involving the degradation (catabolism) of carbohydrates, fats, proteins, and alcohol to produce energy. NADP+ functions more often in biosynthetic (anabolic) reactions, such as synthesizing fatty acids and cholesterol. Since almost every metabolic pathway uses either NAD+ or NADP+, it is unsurprising to find signs and symptoms of niacin deficiency in severe metabolic disorders. The worst of these is pellagra, which is characterized by the four Ds, representing dermatitis, diarrhea, dementia, and death.
Symptoms of minor niacin deficiency
- Loss of appetite
- Depressiveness
- Dementia
- Insomnia
- Weakness
- Irritability
Severe niacin deficiency may cause pellagra. Pellagra is characterized by symptoms such as:
- Glossitis
- Sore, swollen, purple-red tongue
- Skin lesions primarily located on sun-exposed areas
Niacin as cholesterol-lowering drug
Niacin increases HDL cholesterol and reduces LDL cholesterol and triglycerides. When taken with another cholesterol medication, diet, or exercise, niacin has been proven to reduce "bad" cholesterol levels. A niacin-statin combination therapy substantially improves four primary lipoprotein levels associated with atherosclerotic disease.
Indications
- Intensely pigmented skin on sun-exposed areas
- Alcohol abuse
- Dementia
- Dry skin and mouth
- Numbness of the extremities
- Inflammation of the mucous membranes of the tongue and mouth
- Digestive disorders
Niacin can be synthesized in the body from tryptophan, whereby the conversion requires the presence of vitamins thiamine, pyridoxine, and riboflavin.
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 special 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.
