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Inhaltsstoff-Glossar
Pantethine
What Is Pantethine?
Pantethine is considered the most active form of vitamin B5. It consists of two pantetheine units, each of which contains one molecule of pantothenic acid (vitamin B5). It was first isolated chemically by Feodor Lynen in 1951.
Pantethine is important for the function of many enzymes involved in fat and energy metabolism. In studies, pantethine supplementation helped lower cholesterol levels in people with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and impaired lipid metabolism.
Pantethine is important for the function of many enzymes involved in fat and energy metabolism. In studies, pantethine supplementation helped lower cholesterol levels in people with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and impaired lipid metabolism.
Where Does Pantethine Occur Naturally?
Pantethine occurs in animal organisms, where it is formed from pantothenic acid. In the body, pantethine plays a central role in the formation of coenzyme A.
Pantethine is widely present as a molecule in the body, while vitamin B5—the component from which pantethine is formed—is also found in many foods. Higher concentrations occur in foods such as meat, eggs, potatoes, grains, tomatoes and broccoli. Pantethine can also be produced by chemical synthesis.
Pantethine is widely present as a molecule in the body, while vitamin B5—the component from which pantethine is formed—is also found in many foods. Higher concentrations occur in foods such as meat, eggs, potatoes, grains, tomatoes and broccoli. Pantethine can also be produced by chemical synthesis.
What Is Pantethine’s Primary Function in the Body?
Pantethine is important for the formation of coenzyme A, which in turn is essential for the activity of approximately 4% of all enzymes in the body. Coenzyme A is involved in the metabolism of the macronutrients fat, protein and carbohydrate and contributes to energy production. In these processes, coenzyme A acts as a carrier of acyl groups: as acyl-coenzyme A it participates in fat metabolism, while acetyl-coenzyme A is involved in the metabolism of proteins and carbohydrates.
Acyl-coenzyme A is involved in the breakdown of fatty acids through beta-oxidation. However, the molecule is formed in the cytosol, the fluid interior of the cell, and must first be transported into the mitochondria before the fatty acids can be broken down. This transport process helps explain why L-carnitine has been investigated as a supplement for weight or fat loss: acyl groups are transferred to L-carnitine for transport into the mitochondria.
Coenzyme A is also important for metabolic recycling. Acetyl-coenzyme A is generated during cellular respiration, during the breakdown of amino acids such as alanine, valine and methionine, and during fatty-acid degradation. Coenzyme A molecules can then be reused in other metabolic processes, including the citric acid cycle and the synthesis of additional compounds. Because coenzyme A contains a sulfur group supplied by pantethine, it can form so-called high-energy bonds. The body uses these bonds in anabolic processes to synthesize substances such as triglycerides, ketone bodies and cholesterol.
Acyl-coenzyme A is involved in the breakdown of fatty acids through beta-oxidation. However, the molecule is formed in the cytosol, the fluid interior of the cell, and must first be transported into the mitochondria before the fatty acids can be broken down. This transport process helps explain why L-carnitine has been investigated as a supplement for weight or fat loss: acyl groups are transferred to L-carnitine for transport into the mitochondria.
Coenzyme A is also important for metabolic recycling. Acetyl-coenzyme A is generated during cellular respiration, during the breakdown of amino acids such as alanine, valine and methionine, and during fatty-acid degradation. Coenzyme A molecules can then be reused in other metabolic processes, including the citric acid cycle and the synthesis of additional compounds. Because coenzyme A contains a sulfur group supplied by pantethine, it can form so-called high-energy bonds. The body uses these bonds in anabolic processes to synthesize substances such as triglycerides, ketone bodies and cholesterol.
What Are the Potential Benefits of Pantethine Supplementation?
Each pantethine molecule contains two units derived from pantothenic acid (vitamin B5). In line with the roles of vitamin B5, pantethine and coenzyme A in the body, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has concluded that vitamin B5 contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism, normal mental performance, the reduction of tiredness and fatigue, and the normal synthesis and metabolism of steroid hormones, vitamin D and certain neurotransmitters.
Reported symptoms of vitamin B5 deficiency include restlessness, fatigue, sleep disturbances and muscle cramps. However, deficiency has so far been observed mainly under artificial experimental conditions, for example after administration of an antagonist, rather than in dietary studies.
In several clinical studies, higher doses of pantethine reduced LDL cholesterol by an average of approximately 20% and triglycerides by approximately 33% in people with elevated blood lipids. At the same time, levels of “good” HDL cholesterol increased. To achieve these effects, researchers generally used an average daily dose of 900 mg of pantethine over a study period of four months.
Because these studies reported favorable effects in people with cholesterol levels of at least 200 mg/dL and triglyceride levels above 150 mg/dL, pantethine supplements are typically dosed much more highly than standard vitamin B5 supplements. Vitamin B5 products often provide around 5–10 mg, whereas pantethine products may provide approximately 500–1,000 mg per day.
Pantethine appears to have a generally favorable tolerability profile. The authors of one study reported no obvious adverse effects associated with its use. A review found that approximately 1% of participants experienced mild gastrointestinal complaints. In one clinical study involving children, pantethine was well tolerated at a dose of 60 mg per kilogram of body weight per day—equivalent to 3,600 mg for a person weighing 60 kilograms.
Sources
Further information and studies on pantethine can be found in the sources below.
The effects of pantethine on fatty liver and fat distribution
www.pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11425046
Biosynthesis of Pantothenic Acid and Coenzyme A
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4950986
Coenzyme A: back in action
www.pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15893380