Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid)
Description and function
Pantothenic acid is a water soluble B complex vitamin. It is a constituent of coenzyme A, which is involved in energy metabolism (lipids, carbohydrates and proteins metabolism).
Deficiency
Deficiencies have not been clearly described, although it has been taught to be linked to the “burning feet syndrome” seen in some malnourished people.
Sources
Pantothenic acid is ubiquitous in foods. Good dietary sources include meats (especially liver and kidney), whole grain cereals and legumes.
Toxicity
No real toxicity is reported except for some diarrhoea and water retention in high doses.
Important notice: please click here.
I want to learn more
Additional Sources of Information:
Scientific references:
Books
Pantothenic acid. Trumbo PR. In: Shils ME, Shike M, Ross AC, Caballero B, Cousins RJ, eds. Modern Nutrition in Health and Disease. 10th ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2006:462-469.
PDR for Nutritional Supplements. Hendler SS, Rorvik DR, eds. Montvale: Medical Economics Company, Inc; 2001
Food and Nutrition Board, Institute of Medicine. Pantothenic acid. Dietary Reference Intakes: Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, Vitamin B-6, Vitamin B-12, Pantothenic Acid, Biotin, and Choline. Washington, D.C.: National Academy Press; 1998:357-373. (National Academy Press)
Pharmacology of micronutrients. Flodin N. New York: Alan R. Liss, Inc.; 1988.
Nutritional Biochemistry. Brody T. 2nd ed. San Diego: Academic Press; 1999.
Scientific articles
Biotin uptake by human colonic epithelial NCM460 cells: a carrier-mediated process shared with pantothenic acid. Said HM, Ortiz A, McCloud E, Dyer D, Moyer MP, Rubin S. Am J Physiol. 1998;275(5 Pt 1):C1365-1371.
[Abstract]
Controlled evaluation of pantethine, a natural hypolipidemic compound, in patients with different forms of hyperlipoproteinemia. Gaddi A, Descovich GC, Noseda G, et al. Atherosclerosis. 1984;50(1):73-83.
[Abstract]
Effect of pantothenic acid and ascorbic acid supplementation on human skin wound healing process. A double-blind, prospective and randomized trial. Vaxman F, Olender S, Lambert A, et al. Eur Surg Res. 1995;27(3):158-166.
[Abstract]
Metabolic response to a pantothenic acid deficient diet in humans. Fry PC, Fox HM, Tao HG. J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo). 1976;22(4):339-346.
[Abstract]
Optimum nutrition: thiamin, biotin and pantothenate. Bender DA. Proc Nutr Soc. 1999;58(2):427-433.
[Abstract]
Pantothenic acid deficiency in man. Hodges RE, Ohlson MA, Bean WB. J Clin Invest. 1958;37:1642-1657.
Pantothenic acid in health and disease. Tahiliani AG, Beinlich CJ. Vitam Horm. 1991;46:165-228.
[Abstract]
Studies on wound healing: effects of calcium D-pantothenate on the migration, proliferation and protein synthesis of human dermal fibroblasts in culture. Weimann BI, Hermann D. Int J Vitam Nutr Res. 1999;69(2):113-119.
[Abstract]
Treatment of hyperlipemia in diabetic patients on dialysis with a physiological substance. Coronel F, Tornero F, Torrente J, et al. Am J Nephrol. 1991; 11(1):32-36.
[Abstract]
