Miracon Science

Pantothensäure

Synonym(s): Calcium D-pantothenate, Vitamin B5
Nutrient group: Vitamine

Sources and physiological effects

Dietary sources

Pantothenic acid is a water-soluble B vitamin which is almost always present in the diet in the bound active form coenzyme A (CoA). Coenzyme A is a component of every living cell where it participates in central metabolic processes, such as the citrate cycle or fatty acid oxidation. Good sources of pantothenic acid are meat (especially offal), egg yolk, fish, legumes, cereals, yeast.
In food preparation, pantothenic acid reacts is sensitive to heating and leaching, with the losses are varying between 15 - 70 %. 
Physiological effects
Metabolism
  • Necessary for the formation of coenzyme A, which plays an important role in the citrate cycle and fatty acid oxidation.
  • Participation in the build-up and breakdown of carbohydrates, fats and amino acids
Skin and hair
  • Regulation of cell growth and epithelial formation
Hormones
  • Synthesis of cholesterol, bile acid, provitamin D, adrenal hormones, sexual hormones, ubiquinone, vitamin A, acetylcholine, melatonin and taurine
Blood
  • Synthesis of hemoglobin, myoglobin and cytochrome of the respiratory chain

EFSA Health Claims

Health Claims EFSA Opinion
Pantothenic acid
  • Contributes to a normal energy metabolism
  • Contributes to normal synthesis and metabolism of steroid hormones, vitamin D and some neurotransmitters
  • Contributes to the reduction of fatigue and fatigue
  • Contributes to normal mental performance

Recommended intake

D-A-CH recommended nutrient intake (Reference values EFSA and NHI  )
  Age Pantothenic acid (mg/d)
Infants (months)
  0-4 2
  4-12 3
Children (years)
  1-4 4
  4-7 4
  7-10 5
  10-13 5
  13-15 6
Teenagers/adults (years) Women Men
  15-19 6 6
  19-25 6 6
  25-51 6 6
  51-65 6 6
  > 65 6 6
Pregnant women 6
Breast-feeding women 6
Increased need Alcohol abuse, pregnancy, lactation, stress, diabetes mellitus, chronic liver diseases, diets, parenteral nutrition
Special group at risk of deficiency  Hospitalized persons, restrictive diets
Recommended intake to food labelling regulation mg
(=100 % TB marking on label)  6 mg
Nutrient safety  
UL
 		 Long-term daily intake at which no negative health effects are to be expected N/A
NOAEL
 		 Maximum intake, with no observed adverse effect 1000 mg/d

Detailed information

Pantothenic acid - a central factor in energy metabolism
Pantothenic acid belongs to the B vitamins and, like most water-soluble vitamins, is part of a coenzyme. As a component of coenzyme A (CoA), it plays a central role in the entire energy metabolism of the organism. Coenzyme A functions as a universal acyl group transmitter, is involved in the biosynthesis of steroids and the neurotransmitters acetylcholine and taurine as well as in the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and amino acids (1).
 
Use of pantothenic acid in neurological disorders

Pantothenic acid deficiency usually occurs in combination with deficiencies of other B vitamins (1). An experimental deficiciency of intake leads to disorders of the nervous system, fatigue, depression, cramps, motor disorders as well as to an impairment of the gastrointestinal function (2). Characteristic of a deficiency is the burning-feet syndrome, a feeling disorder of the feet, which usually occurs at night due to tingling or numbness in the toes and burning pain in the foot. In addition to pantothenic acid deficiency, a simultaneous undersupply of thiamine and niacin probably also plays a role (2) (3).
Pantothenic acid – an important component in skin metabolism
Pantothenic acid in the form of coenzyme A is necessary for the structure and function of the skin layers as well as for cell renewal. It serves as an energy source and stimulates numerous metabolic processes required for cell division, cell maturation and the synthesis of dermal lipids (4). An undersupply of pantothenic acid can lead to dermatitis, wound healing disorders and mucosal inflammation (1). In studies, animals fed low-pantothenic acid feed developed the symptoms of ulcerative colitis. The diet also reduced the coenzyme A content in the intestinal mucosa, with the lowest CoA concentrations associated with ulcerating mucosa and aqueous/bloody diarrhea (5).
 
Pantothenic acid promotes wound healing processes
The need for pantothenic acid increases during wound healing. Pantothenic acid stimulates the production of fibroblasts which synthesize collagen. This is of central importance for rapid wound healing. In addition to collagen, fibroblasts also produce hexosamine-containing acidic mucopolysaccharides which are important for the cohesion of the granulation tissue (4) (6). In a double-blind, randomized, prospective study, 49 patients undergoing tattoo removal received 1 g ascorbic acid and 0.2 g pantothenic acid or a placebo for 21 days. In the patients who received the supplement, changes in the trace element content of skin and scar could be measured. The mechanical properties of the scar correlated significantly with its content of iron, copper and zinc. This correlation could not be observed in the control group (7). Animal studies also show that calcium pantothenate can protect the skin from the negative effects of radiation (8).
 
Improvement of male fertility
Pantothenic acid is also an essential vitamin for testicular function, especially for testicular endocrinology and sperm mobility. In animal studies with pantothenic acid-free feed, there was a decrease in sperm mobility parameters compared to the control animals. A reduction of plasma testosterone and corticosterone was also be observed (9).
 
Improvement of hair quality
Pantothenic acid plays a central role in the metabolism of active tissue. As a component of coenzyme A (CoA), it plays a central role in the structure and function of the skin layers and cell renewal (10). Pantothenic acid is also essential for hair formation in the root, as it regulates the metabolism of the hair-forming epithelial cells. The administration of a preparation of pantothenic acid and cysteine for 4 months showed therapeutic effects in patients with diffuse hair loss and changes in the hair structure: the quality of the hair improved and simultaneously slowed hair loss (11).
 

Reference values

Parameter Substrate Reference value Description
Pantothenic acid Whole blood 0.37 - 0.11 (µg/l) No verified data is yet available.
Pantothenic excretion Urine < 1 mg/24 h (mg/24 h) No verified data is yet available.

Deficiency symptoms

Impact on Symptoms
General health Tiredness, headaches, insomnia, weakness
Skin/Mucosa Inflammation in GIT, impaired wound healing, dermatitis
Immune system Susceptibility to infections
Gastrointestinal tract Vomiting, nausea, constipation, abdominal cramps
Carbohydrate metabolism Increased insulin sensitivity, hypoglycemia
Fat metabolism Fatty degeneration of the liver
Nerve system Muscle cramps, numbness, burning pain in the feet (burning feet syndrome)
Hormones Fertility disorder
NNR insufficiency due to atrophy of the NNR

Indications

Effect Indication Dosage
Physiological effects
at a low intake 		 General health and prevention 10 - 100 mg/d
For the treatment of pantothenic acid deficiency disorders, such as burning-feet syndrome 200 - 500 mg/d
For increased needs in pregnancy and breastfeeding 10 - 250 mg/d
Pharmacological effects
at a high intake		 Therapeutic support for rheumatoid arthritis 500 - 2000 mg/d

Administration

General mode of administration
 
When
 		 B vitamins can be taken with or between meals.
Side effects
No side effects are known to date.
Contraindications
No contraindications are known to date.

Interactions

Drug or nutrients interactions
Estrogens (oral contraceptives) Taking contraceptives can increase the need for pantothenic acid.

Description and related substances

Description
Water-soluble vitamin of the B complex
Related substances
  • Calcium D-pantothenate
  • Sodium D-pantothenate
  • D-panthenol
  • Pantethine

References

References

1) Gröber, U. Orthomolekulare Medizin. Ein Leitfaden für Apotheker und Ärzte. 3. Auflage. 2008.
2) Hahn, A. et al. Ernährung. Physiologische Grundlagen, Prävention, Therapie. 2006.
3) Bisalski. et al. 2002. Vitamine, Spurenelemente und Mineralstoffe. 116.
4) Meyer-Chlond, G. Stimulation der Wundheilung. Das PTA Magazin. 05/2007, Heft 5, Springer Medizin.
5) Nelson, R. A. 1968. Intestinal Transport, Coenzym A and Colitis in Pantothenic Acid Deficiency. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 21(5):495-501.
6) Wiederholt, T. et al. 2009. Calcium pantothenate modulates gene expression in proliferating human dermal fibroblasts. Experimental Dermatology. 18(11):969-978.
7) Vaxman, F., Olender, S. 1995. Effect of pantothenic acid and ascorbic acid supplementation on human skin wound healing process. A double-blind, prospective and randomized trial. Eur Surg Res. 27(3):158-66.
8) Craciun, C. et al. 1992. Electron-microscopic studies on the effect of calcium pantothenate upon rat liver and locally irradiated epidermis. Acta Morphol Hung. 40(1-4):231-48.
9) Yamamoto, T. et al. 2009. Effects of pantothenic acid on testicular function in male rats. J Vet Med Sci. 71(11):1427-32.
10) Meyer-Chlond, G. Stimulation der Wundheilung. Das PTA Magazin. 05/2007, Heft 5, Springer Medizin.
11) Petri, H. et al. 1990. The efficacy of drug therapy in structural lesions of the hair and in diffuse effluvium-comparative double blind study. Schweiz Rundsch Med Prax. 79(47):1457-62.

References Interactions
Stargrove, M. B. et al. Herb, Nutrient and Drug Interactions: Clinical Implications and Therapeutic Strategies, 1. Auflage. St. Louis, Missouri: Elsevier Health Sciences, 2008.
Gröber, U. Mikronährstoffe: Metabolic Tuning –Prävention –Therapie, 3. Auflage. Stuttgart: WVG Wissenschaftliche Verlagsgesellschaft Stuttgart, 2011.
Gröber, U. Arzneimittel und Mikronährstoffe: Medikationsorientierte Supplementierung, 3. aktualisierte und erweiterte Auflage. Stuttgart: WVG Wissenschaftliche Verlagsgesellschaft Stuttgart, 2014.
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