The Vitamin B3 (niacin) molecule in 3-D

The Vitamin B3 (niacin) molecule in 3-Dimensions

Vitamin B3 ( niacin) is also known as pyridine-3-carboxylic acid, or nicotinic acid. The name in fact comes from nicotinic acid + vitamin.

There are several derivative compounds e.g. nicotinamide - the amide of nicotinic acid (also known as niacinamide).

These can act as a precursor to nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide and its phosphate derivative (often abbreviated as NAD+/NADH and NADP+/NADPH), which function as hydrogen and electron acceptors in respiration and photosynthesis.

Dietary deficiency causes pellagra: cracked, scaly skin, dementia, and diarrhea.

At different (higher) doses, a number of pharmacological effects have been ascribed to niacin (but not the amide): reduction of high cholesterol, atherosclerosis, cataracts.


Label/ Unlabel atoms