Pantothenic Cacid (Vitamin-B5), Dexpanthenol : Health Benefits

by MedlinePlus

Pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) is essential to all life, and is a component of coenzyme A (CoA), a molecule which is necessary for numerous vital chemical reactions to occur in cells. Pantothenic acid is essential to the metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, as well as for the synthesis of hormones and cholesterol.

Sources of pantothenic acid: The name pantothenic acid comes from the Greek word pantos, meaning "everywhere," referring to its wide distribution in most plants and animals. Rich food sources include meats, liver, kidney, fish/shellfish, chicken, vegetables, legumes, yeast, eggs, and milk. However, freezing and canning may lead to a loss of much of the pantothenic acid content. Whole grains are also a good source, although refining may degrade much of the pantothenic acid content. In commercial supplement products, vitamin B5 is available as D-pantothenic acid and as the synthetic products dexpanthenol (converted in the body to pantothenic acid) or calcium pantothenate. Pantothenic acid is frequently used in combination with other B vitamins in vitamin B complex formulations. Only the dextrorotatory (D) isomer of pantothenic acid possesses biologic activity.

Deficiency: Pantothenic acid deficiency is exceedingly rare, and likely only occurs only in cases of the most severe life-threatening malnutrition. Most individuals likely obtain sufficient amounts from dietary sources.

Uses: Pantothenic acid has been used or studied for numerous health conditions, but has not been clearly demonstrated as beneficial for any. Oral, topical (on the skin), or injected forms have been used.

Dexpanthenolis a synthetically made chemical precursor of pantothenic acid (an alcohol form pro-vitamin), which is converted into pantothenic acid in the body. Dexpanthenol has been used or tested in topical or injected forms for several health conditions, but has not been clearly demonstrated as beneficial in any specific condition.

Synonyms

Calcii pantothenas, calcium pantothenate, C9H17NO5,coenzyme A, D-calcium pantothenate, D (+)-N-(2,4-dihydroxy-3, 3-dimethylbutyryl)-beta-alanine, D-panthenol, D-pantothenic acid, D(+)-pantothenic acid, D-pantothenyl alcohol, dexpanthenol, dexpanthenolum, panthenol, pantoic acid, pantothenic, pantothenic acid, pantothenol, pantothenylol, vitamin B-5.

Evidence

These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider.

Uses based on scientific evidence

Pantothenic acid deficiency

Pantothenic acid deficiency is exceedingly rare.Symptoms: Because of its rarity, most information about pantothenic acid deficiency has been obtained from experiments in which people were given a low pantothenic acid diet along with an anti-pantothenic acid drug (antagonist), in order to observe the consequences. Individuals experienced headache, fatigue, insomnia, intestinal disturbances, numbness/tingling of the hands/feet, diminished reflexes, and muscle weakness. Historically, malnourished World War II prisoners who complained of foot numbness were reported to be relieved by pantothenic acid therapy. A medicine used previously in Japan with anti-pantothenic acid properties (Homopantothenate) was rarely associated with reversible hepatic encephalopathy (abnormal liver function leading to a buildup of blood toxins which interfere with proper brain function). Because pantothenic acid is involved with so many vital processes in the body, it is not surprising that a broad number of complications might result from deficiency. In animal studies, severe pantothenic acid deprivation led to anemia, neurologic abnormalities, skin irritation, and widespread organ dysfunction.Treatment/Prevention: Pantothenic acid deficiency has been very rarely observed in humans. In cases of true pantothenic acid deficiency, oral pantothenic acid therapy is accepted as a treatment. It may also be merited as prevention in select patients at high risk for malnutrition. It should be included in tube feeds or parenteral (intravenous) nutrition formulas for patients unable to eat on their own.

Athletic performance

There is currently insufficient scientific evidence in this area in order to form a clear conclusion.

Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

There is currently insufficient scientific evidence in this area in order to form a clear conclusion.

Burns

Vitamin supplementation is often recommended in individuals who have sustained severe burns, due to loss of nutrients and increased metabolic needs. It is unclear if vitamin B5 has specific beneficial effects in burn healing beyond its usual functions in the body.

High cholesterol

Pantothenic acid itself has not been shown to have any cholesterol-lowering effects. However, a chemical derivative of pantothenic acid called pantethine has been studied for this purpose, with compelling preliminary evidence in humans. Pantethine is made by joining two molecules of pantetheine with a disulfide bond (a chemical bond between two molecules of sulfur). Several studies have reported that 300mg of pantethine taken three times daily is superior to placebo for lowering total cholesterol and triglyceride levels, with minimal side effects.

Osteoarthritis

There is currently insufficient scientific evidence in this area in order to form a clear conclusion.

Rheumatoid arthritis

It has been reported thatpantothenic acid levels are lower in the blood of patients with rheumatoid arthritis compared to healthy individuals. However, it is not clear if this is a cause, effect, or a beneficial adaptive reaction. A poorly conducted study in 1980 reported non-significant symptom improvement in rheumatoid arthritis patients taking 2000mg/day of calcium pantothenate. There is currently insufficient scientific evidence in this area in order to form a clear conclusion.

Wound healing

In animal research, oral and topical pantothenic acid have been associated with accelerated skin wound healing. No benefits were seen in a study of humans who took 200mg of pantothenic acid and 1000mg of vitamin C by mouth during recovery from surgical tattoo removal. Additional evidence is necessary before a clear conclusion can be reached regarding this use of pantothenic acid or dexpanthenol.

Radiation skin irritation

Twice daily topical (skin) application of dexpanthenol, an analog of pantothenic acid, to areas of irradiated skin does not appear to reduce erythema, desquamation, itching, or pain following radiation treatment, as reported in a 1996 study (Lokkevik, 1996).

Uses based on tradition or theory

The below uses are based on tradition or scientific theories. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider.

Acne (topical dexpanthenol), adrenal gland stimulation, alcoholism, allergies, alopecia, Alzheimer's disease, anxiety prevention, asthma, autism, bruxism, burning feet syndrome, candidiasis, heart failure, carpal tunnel syndrome, celiac disease, chronic fatigue syndrome, cold prevention, colitis, conjunctivitis, convulsions, cystitis, dandruff, depression, dermatoses (topical dexpanthenol), diabetic neuropathy, diaper rash (topical dexpanthenol), eczema (topical dexpanthenol), glossitis, gray hair, headache, heart failure, hypertriglyceridemia, hypoglycemia, hypotension (low blood pressure), immune function enhancement, infection prevention, insect bites (topical), insomnia, irritability, itching (topical dexpanthenol), lupus, malaria, multiple sclerosis, muscle cramps, muscular dystrophy, neuralgia, obesity, Parkinson's disease, peripheral neuropathy, peristalsis stimulation (injected dexpanthenol), poison ivy (topical dexpanthenol), poison ivy (topical dexpanthenol), postoperative ileus (injected dexpanthenol), premenstrual syndrome (PMS), prostatitis, reducing signs of aging, respiratory disorders, retarded growth, salicylate toxicity, shingles, skin disorders, stomatitis, streptomycin neurotoxicity, stress, thyroid therapy side effect prevention, ulcerative colitis (dexpanthenol enema), vertigo.

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