Pantethine information by Ray Sahelian, M.D. Health benefit of pantethine

Pantethine is a combination of the vitamin pantothenic acid and the low-molecular-weight aminothiol cysteamine.  Pantethine is the biologically active form of pantothenic acid (vitamin B5). 

Pantethine 25 mg, 60 Tablets - Source Naturals
This sublingual precursor to coenzyme B-5 (also called coenzyme A) goes directly into your bloodstream in its active form, ready to go to work immediately.  This avoids loss that may occur not only during digestion, but during the liver's conversion process as well. Pantethine itself is a combination of pantothenic acid (vitamin B-5) and beta mercaptoethylamine. Panteteine is the precursor to coenzyme A, the critical starting point in the Krebs energy production cycle.

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Subscribe to a FREE Supplement Research Update newsletter. Twice a month we email a brief abstract of 4 to 6 studies on various supplements and natural medicine topics and their practical interpretation by Ray Sahelian, M.D. We will discuss pantethine as more research becomes available.

Suggested Use:  1 tablet in the morning, or as recommended by your health care professional. Place tablet under the tongue and allow to dissolve slowly, altering the position of the tablet to avoid prolonged contact with the same area. 

Pantethine Supplement Facts:
Pantethine (coenzyme B-5 precursor) -  25 mg

Mind Power Rx with Pantothenic acid - Formulated by Ray Sahelian, M.D.

Mind Power Rx is a sophisticated cognitive formula. It combines a delicate balance of brain circulation agents and neurotransmitter precursors with powerful natural brain chemicals that support:

• Memory and Mood
• Mental clarity
• Concentration 
• Alertness & Focus


The herbs in Mind Power Rx include: Ashwagandha, Bacopa, Fo-Ti, Ginkgo biloba,  Ginseng, Gotu kola, Mucuna pruriens, Reishi, and Rhodiola.  The nutrients and vitamins in Mind Power Rx include Acetyl-l-carnitine, Carnitine, Carnosine, Choline, DMAE, Inositol, Methylcobalamin, Pantothenic acid, Trimethylglycine, Tyrosine, and Vinpocetine.

Click Pantethine above in blue for more information

Clinical indications for pantethine
There's still much research to be done with pantethine before any recommendations can be made, however, early research indicates that:

Pantethine may help lower cholesterol and other lipid levels
Pantethine may improve fatty liver (see below)
Pantethine may enhance cognitive abilities
Pantethine may increase energy levels

Pantethine information
Pantethine is part of coenzyme A, a very important substance that participates in the metabolism of carbohydrates, amino acids, fatty acids and dozens of other important chemical reactions. Cognitive effects of oral pantethine administration to humans have not been published. Pantethine is sold over the counter in dosages ranging from 5 to 50 mg. In my limited self-experimentation, I have found that a lower dose of pantethine provides similar effects as a higher dose of pantothenic acid.

Pantethine research update
Hypolipidemic effect of pantothenic acid derivatives (including pantethine) in mice with hypothalamic obesity induced by aurothioglucose.
Exp Toxicol Pathol. 2001 Oct;53(5):393-8.
The hypolipidemic effects of pantothenic acid derivatives (phosphopantothenate, panthenol and pantethine) were studied in mice with hypothalamic obesity. Hypothalamic obesity in mice was induced by single injection of aurothioglucose (300 mg/kg body wt, i.p.). All the tested substances were administered during the last 10 days before decapitation (i.m., of dosage equivalent to 150 mg/kg body wt of phosphopantothenate). The studied substances inhibited the weight gain of the animals with hypothalamic obesity over the last 10 days of the experiment. The treatment with aurothioglucose increased food intake and mean body weight, blood glucose level; insulin, serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, the sum of LDL + VLDL and LDL-cholesterol concentration; triglyceride and cholesterol fractions in the liver; triglyceride and FFA content as well as lipoprotein lipase activity in adipose tissue of experimental mice. The administration of the assay compounds lowered food intake and mean body weight, insulin and glucose levels and decreased the content of triglycerides, total cholesterol and cholesterol esters in serum and adipose tissue as well as raised the activity of lipoprotein lipase in adipose tissue and serum lipolytic activity in obese mice. Among the compounds studied the reverse effect of panthenol was especially pronounced. The mechanism of hypolipidemic effects of pantothenic acid derivatives can be related to the reduced resistance to insulin and activation of lipolysis in serum and adipose tissue.

Pantethine and fatty liver
The effects of pantethine on fatty liver and fat distribution.
J Atheroscler Thromb. 2000;7(1):55-8.
Although the prognosis of fatty liver depends on its causes, we feel from our clinical experience that fatty liver with hypertriglyceridemia has a good prognosis and responds well to treatment. In this study, 600 mg/day of pantethine was administered to 16 outpatients with fatty liver and hypertriglyceridemia for six months or longer to examine whether the drug improved fatty liver using abdominal plain computed tomography (CT). Nine of the 16-pantethine patients were no longer diagnosed as having fatty liver after the study period. An chi2 test indicated the significant disappearance of fatty liver. At the same time, the visceral fat calculated from the CT image passing the umbilical region was also significantly reduced. On the contrary, the subcutaneous fat area tended to increase, so the ratio of the visceral-to-subcutaneous fat area was reduced significantly. This indicates triglycerides may be pooled in the body as hepato-visceral fat and subcutaneous fat, and that pantethine may transfer fat from the liver and viscera to the subcutaneous tissue. This suggests that visceral fat deposition and fatty liver occurring with hypertriglyceridemia may have a common basis, probably excessive matrixes, and that pantethine may simultaneously improve the two conditions.

Pantethine emails
Q. I wonder why you suggest that 25 to 50 mg of pantethine may be sufficient when the study you cite used 600 mg to reverse fatty liver.
   A. We have learned from experience that high doses cause side effects. Researchers do a study for a brief period of time, but when the consumer takes these high dosages for prolonged periods, problems could occur or the biochemical system of the body may go out of balance.

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