Biochemical Physiological Actions
: Menadione sodium bisulfite is a water-soluble form of menadione, which belongs to the Vitamin K class of compounds. These are necessary for the biosynthesis of prothrombin and other blood clotting factors. Menadione is a prothrombogenic compound and is used as a model quinone in cell culture and in vivo investigations.Menadione has been shown to affect gap-junctional intercellular communication by mediation of tyrosine phosphorylation. Menadione has demonstrated cytotoxic activity against a variety of cell lines and can induce apoptosis in cultured cells, such as osteoclasts and osteoblasts, via elevation of peroxide and superoxide radical levels.An HPLC method for detection of menadione sodium bisulfite in multivitamin formulations has been published. A chemiluminescence assay for menadione sodium bisulfite in pharmaceutical preparations and biological fluids has been reported.