B-6

B-6 (vitamin B₆) refers to a family of pyridine vitamers, pyridoxine, pyridoxal and pyridoxamine, that cells convert through the salvage enzymes pyridoxal kinase and PNPO into pyridoxal 5′-phosphate. PLP is the cofactor of more than 160 enzymes in amino acid, heme, carbohydrate and neurotransmitter metabolism. Researchers have studied B₆-dependent GABA and glutamate enzymes in deficient rat brain, maternal B₆ diets in rat hippocampus, and singlet-oxygen quenching by B₆ vitamers. Research Market supplies B-6 with lot data on the certificate of analysis. It is sold strictly for laboratory research use.

Chemical structure and identification

• Compound class: Vitamin B₆ vitamers (pyridoxine, pyridoxal, pyridoxamine and their phosphates)
• Chemical form: The product listing does not state which vitamer or salt (for example pyridoxine hydrochloride or pyridoxal 5′-phosphate); the form is reported on the batch certificate of analysis
• Form: Supplied in a sealed research vial
• Analytical methods: Identity and purity data reported on the batch certificate of analysis

Research applications

• PLP salvage pathway: Reviewed for the salvage enzymes that produce PLP, the cofactor of more than 160 enzymes, and for inborn errors such as PNPO deficiency that lower cellular PLP, particularly in neurons [1]
• Singlet oxygen quenching: Pyridoxine, pyridoxal, PLP and pyridoxamine quenched singlet oxygen with rate constants of 5.5–7.5 × 10⁷ M⁻¹ s⁻¹ in D₂O, studied in relation to the fungus Cercospora nicotianae [2]
• Brain enzyme activity: In vitamin B₆-deficient rats of five age groups, holoenzyme levels of glutamic acid decarboxylase, GABA transaminase and aminotransferases in brain were lower than in controls [3]
• Developmental gene expression: In rats fed B₆-deficient diets before pregnancy through lactation, 10-day-old pups showed hyperhomocysteinemia and altered hippocampal Gad1, Glul, Gls and Tph1 mRNA [4]

Reference citations

1. Ghatge M.S. et al. (2021). Inborn errors in the vitamin B6 salvage enzymes associated with neonatal epileptic encephalopathy and other pathologies. Biochimie, 183:18–29. PMID 33421502 · DOI
2. Bilski P. et al. (2000). Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) and its derivatives are efficient singlet oxygen quenchers and potential fungal antioxidants. Photochem Photobiol, 71(2):129–134. PMID 10687384 · <a href="https://doi.org/10.1562/0031-8655(2000)0712.0.co;2″ target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>DOI
3. Rajeswari T.S. et al. (1984). Age-related effects of nutritional vitamin B6 deficiency on B6-dependent enzymes of glutamate, gamma-aminobutyrate and glutamine systems in the rat brain. Exp Gerontol, 19(2):87–93. PMID 6145606 · DOI
4. Almeida M.R. et al. (2016). Maternal vitamin B6 deficient or supplemented diets on expression of genes related to GABAergic, serotonergic, or glutamatergic pathways in hippocampus of rat dams and their offspring. Mol Nutr Food Res, 60(7):1615–1624. PMID 26935476 · DOI

Literature summaries describe published preclinical research and are not claims about this product’s effects in humans or animals.