pantethine

October 22, 2002

thank you. this seems like pretty epiphany-like information for me personally.

it's really hitting home for me and I've never heard about it before. i've had

asthma all my life (it is much better now on my diet and with constitutional

homeopathic treatment) but I've had several courses of prednisone, as well as I

have some other indications of auto-immune malfunctioning. When affordable, ha!

in a few weeks, I will try to start myself on this pantethine. It makes so much

sense and even it's connection with establishing good bacteria in the colon and

hence, with the absence of it, it's all the more reason for Candida to flourish.

Thanks for the information.

Joyce

Re: Pantethine

Joyce,

sorry but I realized that you had the Atkins post. Here is a more

comprehensive pantethine profile with dosage and usage.

The link is

http://www.drlam.com/opinion/pantothenic_acid_and_pantethine.cfm

Since it doesn't look like it wants to link in the post, you may want

to just cut and paste into the browser.

PROPERTIES

When pantothenic acid enters our bodies, it forms a substance call

pantethine. Pantethine is a more stable disulfide form (or a double

bond) of pantothenic acid. It is also a more active metabolic

substrate that is converted into an enzyme called " Co-Enzyme A "

(CoA). CoA plays a critical role in the metabolism and breakdown of

the three essential micronutrients namely proteins, carbohydrates and

fats.

CoA is also a cofactor in more than 70 enzymatic pathways which

includes the following:-

1 Fatty acid oxidation

2 Carbohydrate metabolism

3 Pyruvate degradation

4 Amino acid catabolism

5 Heme synthesis

6 Acetylcholine synthesis

7 Phase II detoxification acetylationsin

CoA is also responsible for the initial steps of cholesterol

synthesis, all down-stream metabolites of cholesterol including

steroids, Vitamin D and bile acids.

As such, we can see that CoA is a very important enzyme. It also

helps to breakdown the carbon skeleton of most amino acids, which are

metabolized to pyruvate and enter the TCA cycle.

CoA directs acetyl groups to form all polyisoprenoid compounds, which

include ubiquinone (CoQ10), squalene and cholesterol. Our bodies also

need CoA for the transportation of long chain fatty acids into the

mitochondria where fats are converted into energy.

In a nutshell, CoA is the basis for the production of hemoglobin,

bile, sex and adrenal steroids, cholesterol, and a few brain

chemicals and neurotransmitters.

We can consume pantothenic acid through dietary means. However, it

must be noted that the more active form of pantethine, or its reduced-

SH form pantetheine that contains the SH molecule necessary for

enzyme activity cannot be obtained by consuming whole foods.

When we compare pantethine with pantothenic acid, pantethine by far

more active when it comes to the production of CoA. This hypothesis

has been proven true by many clinical trials. Although taking

pantothenic acid as a form of supplement will ultimately lead to the

creation of CoA, researchers have pointed out that pantethine creates

twice as much CoA than pantothenic acid. This is because structure of

pantethine is closer to the CoA production pathway.

Pantothenic acid also has its own benefits. It enhances adrenal

functions and inflammatory response modulation. Both pantothenic acid

as well as pantethine should be considered as one synergistical unit

and not as mutually exclusive nutrients.

THERAPEUTIC USAGE

Many people have been using pantethine as a supplement to treat

cardiovascular disease, autoimmune disorders, colitis and Crohn's

disease and rheumatoid arthritis. Sometimes, it is also used as

an " anti-stress " nutrient.

Pantethine is also well known for its effectiveness in reducing total

cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglyceride level, while at the

same time raising the good HDL cholesterol.

Pantothenic acid, on the other hand is ideal for enhancing adrenal

functions and reducing reliance on steroids. It also reduces elevated

uric acid levels frequently associated with gout and reduces

inflammatory response. Sometimes, it can be used as substitute for

non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

LIPID PROFILE DYSFUNCTION

About 40 percent of Americans suffer from abnormal lipid dysfunction.

As such, the recent focus has been on the use of pantethine as a

therapeutic agent in the treatment of this illness. Taking pantethine

orally is effective for reducing and normalizing a variety of risk

factors in patients with hypercholesterolemia, arteriosclerosis and

diabetes.

In the past, taking niacin or vitamin B3 would give the same effect.

However, today we know that niacin can lead to inflammations in the

liver and possibly raise blood sugar levels in diabetic patients.

Furthermore, high doses of niacin required for therapeutic effect

often lead to an intolerable flush. But, so far, pantothenic acid and

pantethine do not have any of such negative side effects.

While the exact mechanism of pantethine in normalizing parameters

associated with dyslipidemia is not clear, clinical studies have

proven that when pantethine is added to cultured cells, it causes an

80% inhibition in cholesterol synthesis, most likely inhibiting the

activity of HMG-CoA reductase.

Pantethine can also boost the production of enzymes that helps to

break down blood fats. It helps to enhance Vitamin E's action and

prevents cholesterol from building up in the blood. Pantethine also

increases the amount of omega-3 fatty acids, which in turn stabilizes

the cellular membrane. Furthermore, it also enhances the production

of Coenzyme Q10, leading to stronger cardiac contraction force and

increasing the efficiency of energy generation.

Over the years, numerous studies have validated the use of pantethine

in management of abnormal lipid profile.

· In a study, 30 patients with dyslipidemia were examined. They

were all given 900 mg of pantethine daily. Six patients in the

subgroup of type IIa dyslipidemia reported a decrease in total

cholesterol level by 26%, triglycerides by 28%, " bad " LDL-cholesterol

by 38%, very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol by 28%, and

Apo-B by 16%. At the same time, their " good " HDL-cholesterol was

increased by 34%. Another nine patients with type IIb dyslipidemia

experienced a decrease of 25% for total cholesterol, 49% for

triglycerides, 33% for LDL-cholesterol, 44% for VLDL-cholesterol, and

11% for Apo-B. At the same time, there was a significant increase in

their HDL-cholesterol by 43%.

Another 15 individuals with type IV dyslipidemia reported that their

total cholesterol decreased by 13%, triglycerides by 68%, VLDL-

cholesterol by 53%, and Apo-B by 18%. At the same time, their HDL

cholesterol was increased by 25%.

· In another study, a double-blind placebo-controlled study was

conducted on 29 patients with high cholesterol and triglycerides for

a period of 8 weeks. They were given pentethine at 300 mg 3 times

daily. After eight weeks, the subjects reported a 30% reduction in

blood triglycerides, a 13.5% reduction in LDL ( " bad " ) cholesterol,

and a 10% rise in HDL ( " good " ) cholesterol.

· Bertolini et al treated seven children and 65 adults who

suffered from hypercholesterolemia or other diseases associated with

hypertriglyceridemia (types IIa and IIb of Fredrickson's

classification). Pentethine at 900 mg for children and 1,200 mg for

adults were given daily for a period of 3 years. The children

reported a 20% reduction of total cholesterol and a 27% decrease in

LDL-cholesterol. The adults with type IIa hyperlipoproteinemia

reported a 25% decrease in total cholesterol, a 39% decrease in LDL-

cholesterol, a 34% decrease in Apo-B, and a slight increase in HDL-

cholesterol. In the adult patients with type IIb

hyperlipoproteinemia, total cholesterol was reduced by 19.8%, LDL-

cholesterol by 37%, triglycerides by 31%, and Apo-B by 6%. In this

subgroup, a 23% increase of HDL-cholesterol and a 15% increase in

apolipoprotein A-I were also observed.

· Donati et al also tested the effectiveness and tolerability of

pantethine in 31 patients with dyslipidemia undergoing chronic

hemodialysis. These patients were given 600 to 1,200 mg of pantethine

daily for a period of 9 months. The results revealed a significant

improvement in total blood cholesterol for patients with basal

hypercholesterolemia, and a highly significant reduction of serum

triglycerides for the entire group. However, their HDL-cholesterol or

total Apo-A did not increase.

· In another separate study, 600 mg/day of pantethine was given

to 37 hypercholesterolemic and/or hypertriglyceridemic patients for a

three-month period. Out of all 37 patients, 21 of them were diabetic.

After pantethine was given to these patients, their total

cholesterol, triglycerides, low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol

and apolipoprotein B (Apo- was decreased. At the same time, there

was an increase in high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and

apolipoprotein A (Apo-A) in all the groups. When pantethine was not

given to these patients, a reversal in the improvement of these

parameters was observed.

Later on, a one-year follow up trial was again conducted in 24

patients with established dyslipidemia of Fredrickson's types IIa,

IIb, and IV, alone or associated with diabetes mellitus. Blood lipid

assays revealed consistent reductions in total cholesterol, LDL-

cholesterol, and Apo-B, along with an increase of HDL-cholesterol and

Apo-A in individuals with types IIa and IIb dyslipidemia. The results

were equally favorable in patients with uncomplicated dyslipidemia

and in those with associated diabetes mellitus. A marked reduction in

triglycerides was also observed in the patients with Fredrickson's

type IV dyslipidemia.

· In another experiment conducted by Binaghi et al, he used 24

hypercholesterolemic perimenopausal women as his subjects. The women

were supplemented with 900 mg/day of pantethine. After 16 weeks, they

reported an efficacy rate of about 80% with significant reductions in

total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and LDL/HDL ratios.

Many other studies have proven the effectiveness of using pantethine

to improve cholesterol and triglyceride levels in people with

diabetes. The results were all encouraging. In one study, oral

administration of pantethine given to 31 diabetic patients with

hyperlipidemia led to a decrease in their cholesterol level from a

mean value of 236 mg/dl to 217 mg/dl (10% reduction). Their HDL-

cholesterol level was also increased from a mean value of 40 mg/dl to

43 mg/dl (5% increase).

ADRENAL FUNCTION ENHANCEMENT

Our adrenal glands need pantothenic acid to manufacturer anti-

inflammatory hormones such as cortisol. Pantothenic acid is therefore

a potent natural treatment for inflammatory related ailments such as

arthritis, colitis, and allergies. As such, we can deduce that

inflammatory and infectious processes lead to cardiovascular disease.

The use of pantothenic acid has indeed been broadening.

Pantethine seems to exert an influence over some indicators of

adrenal function. Several animal experiments have shown that a lack

of pantothenic acid will affect adrenal cortex function, most likely

due to the reduction of adrenal corticosteroids. When pantethine or

CoA is injected into animals, there is a marked increase in

steroidogenous effect.

During a study, it was reported that pantethine was given to 20

humans with a variety of clinical diseases to buffer the increase in

24-hour urinary 17-hydroxycorticosteroids and plasma 11-

hydroxycorticosteroids stimulated by a loading dose of

adrenocorticotropic hormone.

We all know that pantothenic acid is an important nutrient to

maintain an optimum adrenal function. When the adrenal gland fails to

function, our bodies will not be able to produce progesterone. This

will result in estrogen dominance that can lead to cancer of the

ovarian, breast and cervics.

People who are taking steroids such as prednisone for treating health

conditions such as asthma and autoimmune disease should reduce their

medication dosage. With the help of pantothenic acid, they can be

slowly wean off their dependency on anti-inflammatory drugs.

Therapeutic Dosage

Disease Dosage

Colitis and Crohn's disease 900 mg daily of both pantethine and

pantothenic acid to reduce inflammation.

Gout Pantothenic acid (in the form of calcium pantothenate) 200 mg

four times a day

Autoimmune and Allergic Disorders 400 to 900 mg a day of both

pantethine and pantothenic acid

Wound healing 900 mg of pantothenic acid daily

Stress and adrenal gland enhancement 400 to 900 mg a day of both

pantethine and pantothenic acid

Cholesterol, triglycerides stabilization 400 to 1,200 mg daily of

both pantethine and pantothenic acid

There are no significant side effects for high dose of pantothenic

acid or pantethine, used by themselves or with other medications.

Sometimes, minor digestive disturbances may occur.

However, more caution should be exercised for young children,

pregnant or nursing women, or people with serious liver or kidney

disease as the safe level dosage had yet to be established.

Pantothenic acid is often sold in the form of calcium pantothenate.

Regular pantothenic acid cannot be used as a substitute for

pantethine. They should be used together.

> I just went back and read an old post about Pantethine being a good

substitute for prednisone in auto-immune diseases. Does anyone know

anything more about it or where to get it? I've never heard of it

before.

> Joyce

>

> Pantethine

>

October 23, 2002

Joyce,

Here's an excerpt about the Pantethine that you were looking for.

It's an active component of Pantothenic Acid, but Dr. Atkins, in this

post, says to use both because your body may not have the other

nutrients needed to extract the pantethine from the pantethenic

acid. I got mine from GSC, but there may be some better sources.

Here is the excerpt from Dr. Atkins that talks about using it to

replace the prednisone.

And from another source comes another connection -- from Dr.

Atkins'

newsletter: Dr. Atkins is writing about Pantethine which he

prescribes to his

Crohn's Disease and Colitis patients, with acknowledgement to Dr.

Melvin

Werbach for Dr. Werbach's study that demonstrated that people with

colitis have

markedly decreased Coenzyme A activity if the mucosal surface of

their colons,

even when the blood levels of pantothenic acid are normal. Dr. Atkins

concluded, based on his success with these patients of his, that

Pantethine

bypasses the block in converting Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid) to

Coenzyme A.

But also, that Pantethine is a growth factor for lactobacillus

bulgaricus and

bifidobacterium that we know help control yeast overgrowth (and Dr.

Cooter also

speaks of it in his book). Candida, according to antibody studies

done at the

Atkins Center, is involved in more than 80 percent of all cases of

Crohn's and

Colitis.

And for autoimmune problems, Dr. Atkins states, " For all conditions

that a

doctor might prescribe prednisone -- allergies, asthma, rheumatoid

arthritis,

psoriasis, lupus, and olther autoimmune diseases, pantethine can be

safely,

effectively substituted. I routinely use it for all of those

conditions on

hundreds of my patients, and it's valuable in weaning them off

steroidal drugs,

or certainly in allowing a lower dose....

By upping body levels of a body enzyme, pantethine counteracts brain

fog,

certain allergic sensitivities, and some consequences of alcoholism.

(And here

it is --) ... In people with candidiasis, the enzyme fights off a

toxic

byproduct called acetaldehyde, which is thought to cause brain fog,

often-suffered but rarely diagnosed.... Acetaldehyde also is

suspected of being

responsible for some symptoms of alcoholism, including alcoholic

heart muscle

disease. The pantethine-stimulated enzyme also detoxifies

formaldehyde, an all

too frequent offender for chemically sensitive individuals. "

In summary, Dr. Atkins is saying that Pantethine, without toxic

consequences,

can reduce cholesterol, counuteract oxidation, stimulate the growth

of friendly

bacteria, and fight allergies, inflammation, autoimmune disruptions,

and

alcoholism.

In case you wondered, Dr. Cooter and Dr. Schmtt suggest 300

micrograms of

Molybdenum in three divided doses per day, and further suggests

staying on it

for at least 4 months.. Dr. Atkins suggests 450 to 900 miligrams

daily of

Pantethine with an equal amount of Pantethenic Acid.