4-Deoxypyridoxine

4-Deoxypyridoxine is a vitamin B6 antagonist. It may be toxic to developing embryos since it can have negative effects on collagen and elastin during development. The presence of this compound can produce vitamin B6 deficiency, which suppresses the immune system. 4-Deoxypyridoxine lowers vitamin B6 concentration by competitively inhibiting some of the enzymes necessary for the regeneration of vitamin B6. The related immunosuppression can be beneficial in animal models of Trichinella spiralis infections. 4-Deoxypyridoxine has also been described as an inhibitor of sphingosine-1-phosphate lyase. The inhibition of sphingosine-1-phosphate lyase by 4-deoxypyridoxine has been shown to prevent cell death of ex vivo animal pancreatic islets. The use of 4-deoxypyridoxine to prevent stress-induced apoptosis is suggest that the compound, as well as other inhibitors of sphingosine-1-phosphate lyase, could be used to increase the viability of donor pancreatic tissue in the treatment of diabetes.