[2] The presence of this compound can produce vitamin B6 deficiency, which suppresses the immune system.

[3] 4-Deoxypyridoxine lowers vitamin B6 concentration by competitively inhibiting some of the enzymes necessary for the regeneration of vitamin B6.

[4] The related immunosuppression can be beneficial in animal models of Trichinella spiralis infections.

[6] 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.