Provitamin B-5, also called panthenol, is the alcohol form of pantothenic acid, or vitamin B-5, according to an article published in 2007 in the "Pediatric Surgery International." According to the authors, panthenol can be converted into pantothenic acid in the body. This ability to convert, in this case to pantothenic acid, is what makes it a provitamin by definition. Vitamin B-5 is one of eight of the B group vitamins that provides nourishment to your adrenal glands involved with the response to stress. It also helps to release energy from foods and aids in the breakdown of fats, proteins and carbohydrates. Supplementation with B-5 may help improve your health. However, talk to your doctor before beginning any vitamin regimen.
Skin Care
Applying provitamin B-5 to your skin topically may help improve its tone and texture. A study was carried out on the skin of almost 250 Indian women between the ages of 30 and 60, published in 2010 in the "Indian Journal of Dermatology." Researchers found that a skin cream containing B-5 along with niacinamide, or vitamin B-3 and vitamin E significantly reduced hyperpigmentation, evened skin tone and improved the texture of the skin. The women saw results in as early as six weeks. The only side effect some noticed was a mild, short-lasting burning sensation.
Keratinocytes
Keratinocytes are the cells that make up the majority of the outer layer of your skin. In provitamin B-5 deficient human skin cells analyzed in the lab, researchers found that the keratinocyte growth factor was affected in a study published in 2011 in the "Journal of Pharmacological Sciences." The keratinocyte growth factor is responsible for keratinocyte cell growth and division so the B-5 deficiency leads to the production of fewer keratinocytes.
Neurological
Preliminary evidence stemming from animal research indicates that B-5 may have the potential to protect your brain arteries from damage. Cerebral artery occlusion is when the blood-carrying arteries within your brain become blocked. In rats clinically exposed to cerebral artery occlusion, B-5 was found to protect their brains from damage in a study published in 2010 in "Neurochemical Research."
Movement and other Effects
Pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration is a condition where neurons, or cells of the nervous system, are destroyed. It results in muscle rigidity and jerking and can ultimately lead to Parkinson's disease and even death. In a study published in 2007 in the "Journal of Inherited Metabolic Disease," healthy mice deprived of B-5 developed azoospermia, a characteristic seen in mice with pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration. Azoospermia is when there is a zero sperm count in males. These mice also had movement-related problems, irregularly low-lying pelvises and slow steps. After correcting the B-5 deficiency, the researchers noted a reversal in each of the symptoms, including a sperm count that returned within four weeks.
References
- "Indian Journal of Dermatology"; The Effects of a Daily Facial Lotion Containing Vitamins B3 and E and Provitamin B5 on the Facial Skin of Indian Women: A Randomized, Double-Blind Trial; Hemangi R. Jerajani et al.; 2010
- "Journal of Pharmacological Sciences"; The Effect of Pantothenic Acid Deficiency on Keratinocyte Proliferation and the Synthesis of Keratinocyte Growth Factor and Collagen in Fibroblasts; Daisaku Kobayashi et al.; 2011
- "Neurochemical Research"; Panthenol as Neuroprotectant: Study in a Rat Model of Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion; M. V. Onufriev, et al.; 2010
- "Journal of Inherited Metabolic Disease"; Deprivation of Pantothenic Acid Elicits a Movement Disorder and Azoospermia in a Mouse Model of Pantothenate Kinase-Associated Neurodegeneration; Y.M. Kuo et al.; 2007
- "Pediatric Surgery International"; The Protective Effect of Dexpanthenol on Testicular Atrophy at 60th Day Following Experimental Testicular Torsion; Barlas Etensel et al.; 2007
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