Dexpanthenol ameliorates lipopolysaccharide-induced cardiovascular toxicity by regulating the IL-6/HIF1α/VEGF pathway

Introduction

Lipopolysaccharide (Lps) is an essential component responsible for the virulence of gram-negative bacteria. Lps can cause damage to many organs, including the heart, kidneys, and lungs. Dexpanthenol (Dex) is an agent that exhibits anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects and stimulates epithelialization. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of Dex on Lps-induced cardiovascular toxicity.

Methods

Rats were divided into four groups: control, Lps (5 mg/kg, intraperitoneal), Dex (500 mg/kg, intraperitoneal), and Lps + Dex. The control group received saline intraperitoneally (i.p.) once daily for three days. The Lps group received saline i.p. once daily for three days and a single dose of Lps i.p. was administered on the third day. The Dex group received Dex i.p. once daily for three days and saline on the third day. The Lps + Dex group received Dex i.p. once daily for three days and a single dose of Lps i.p. on the third day. Heart and aortic tissues were taken for biochemical, histopathological, immunohistochemical, and genetic analysis.

Results

Lps injection caused histopathological changes in both heart and aortic tissues and significantly increased total oxidant status and oxidative stress index levels. Interleukin-6, and Tumor necrosis factor-α mRNA expressions were significantly altered in heart and aorta, likely do to the anti-inflammatory and antioxidative effects of Dex. Furthermore, Dex affected Caspase-3 and Hypoxia-inducible factor 1-α staining patterns.

Conclusions

Our results show that Dex treatment has a protective effect on Lps-induced cardiac and endothelial damage in rats by reducing inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis.

Comprehensive metabolic profiling of Geotrichum candidum and comparison with Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Geotrichum candidum is a dimorphic yeast used in cheese processing. To our knowledge, no major metabolites have been identified to date in G. candidum except for some amino acid and fatty acid metabolites. This has limited research on the commercial use of G. candidum. In this study, we aimed to analyze temporal changes in the intra- and extra-cellular metabolites of G. candidum and Saccharomyces cerevisiae cultured in YM medium as reference. As a result of metabolite analysis, it was observed that G. candidum tends to accumulate　pentose phosphate pathway compounds, which are involved in nucleic acid synthesis, after 48 h of cultivation when compared to S. cerevisiae. In addition, G. candidum accumulated higher amounts of the antioxidant glutathione in the medium than did S. cerevisiae. In addition, G. candidum accumulated large amounts of B vitamins such as pantothenic acid and nicotinic acid in the medium. Finally, we examined the potential of G. candidum as a host for the production of useful compounds such as pantothenic acid. When cultured in medium supplemented with the pantothenic acid precursor β-alanine, G. candidum produced 12-fold higher amounts of pantothenic acid (30 μM) than that by S. cerevisiae. This study indicates that G. candidum accumulates various useful compounds that are dissimilar to those produced by S. cerevisiae. Furthermore, G. candidum has the potential to produce useful chemicals under appropriate culture conditions.

Independent and joint association of cord plasma pantothenate and cysteine levels with autism spectrum disorders and other neurodevelopmental disabilities in children born term and preterm

Background

Pantothenate (vitamin B5) is a precursor for coenzyme A (CoA) synthesis, which serves as a cofactor for hundreds of metabolic reactions. Cysteine is an amino acid in the CoA synthesis pathway. To date, research on the combined role of early life pantothenate and cysteine levels in childhood neurodevelopmental disabilities is scarce.

Objective

To study the association between cord pantothenate and cysteine levels and risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and other developmental disabilities (DD) in children born term and preterm.

Methods

The study sample (n = 996, 177 born preterm) derived from the Boston Birth Cohort included 416 neurotypical children, 87 ASD, 269 ADHD, and 224 other DD children, who were mutually exclusive. Participants were enrolled at birth and were followed up prospectively (from October 1, 1998, to June 30, 2018) at the Boston Medical Center. Cord blood sample was collected at birth. Plasma pantothenate and cysteine levels were measured using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

Results

Higher cord pantothenate (≥50th percentile vs. <50th percentile) was associated with a greater risk of ASD (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 1.94, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.06, 3.55) and ADHD (aOR: 1.66, 95% CI: 1.14, 2.40), after adjusting for potential confounders. However, cord cysteine alone was not associated with risk of ASD, ADHD, or other DD. When considering the joint association, greater ASD risk was noted when both cord pantothenate and cysteine levels were elevated (≥50th percentile) (aOR: 3.11, 95% CI: 1.24, 7.79), when compared to children with low cord pantothenate (<50th percentile) and high cysteine. Even though preterm and higher pantothenate independently increased the ASD risk, the greatest risk was found in preterm children who also had elevated pantothenate (≥50th percentile), which was true for all three outcomes: ASD (aOR: 5.36, 95% CI: 2.09, 13.75), ADHD (aOR: 3.31, 95% CI: 1.78, 6.16), and other DD (aOR: 3.39, 95% CI: 1.85, 6.24).

Conclusions

In this prospective birth cohort, we showed that higher cord pantothenate individually and in combination with higher cysteine or preterm birth were associated with increased risk of ASD and ADHD. More study is needed to explore this biologically plausible pathway.

Enhanced supply of acetyl-CoA by exogenous pantothenate kinase promotes synthesis of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate)

BACKGROUND

Coenzyme A (CoA) is a carrier of acyl groups. This cofactor is synthesized from pantothenic acid in five steps. The phosphorylation of pantothenate is catalyzed by pantothenate kinase (CoaA), which is a key step in the CoA biosynthetic pathway. To determine whether the enhancement of the CoA biosynthetic pathway is effective for producing useful substances, the effect of elevated acetyl-CoA levels resulting from the introduction of the exogenous coaA gene on poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) [P(3HB)] synthesis was determined in Escherichia coli, which express the genes necessary for cyanobacterial polyhydroxyalkanoate synthesis (phaABEC).

RESULTS

E. coli containing the coaA gene in addition to the pha genes accumulated more P(3HB) compared with the transformant containing the pha genes alone. P(3HB) production was enhanced by precursor addition, with P(3HB) content increasing from 18.4% (w/w) to 29.0% in the presence of 0.5 mM pantothenate and 16.3%-28.2% by adding 0.5 mM β-alanine. Strains expressing the exogenous coaA in the presence of precursors contained acetyl-CoA in excess of 1 nmol/mg of dry cell wt, which promoted the reaction toward P(3HB) formation. The amount of acetate exported into the medium was three times lower in the cells carrying exogenous coaA and pha genes than in the cells carrying pha genes alone. This was attributed to significantly enlarging the intracellular pool size of CoA, which is the recipient of acetic acid and is advantageous for microbial production of value-added materials.

CONCLUSIONS

Enhancing the CoA biosynthetic pathway with exogenous CoaA was effective at increasing P(3HB) production. Supplementing the medium with pantothenate facilitated the accumulation of P(3HB). β-Alanine was able to replace the efficacy of adding pantothenate.

Hot spot-based engineering of ketopantoate hydroxymethyltransferase for the improvement of D-pantothenic acid production in Escherichia coli

D-Pantothenic acid (D-PA) is an essential vitamin with wide applications. However, the biotechnological production of D-PA is still not competitive with the chemical synthesis in terms of production cost. Ketopantoate hydroxymethyltransferase is a crucial enzyme in the D-PA synthetic pathway in Escherichia coli encoded by the panB gene. Here a hot spots study was applied to a ketopantoate hydroxymethyltransferase from Corynebacterium glutamicum (CgKPHMT) to relieve the product inhibitory effect and thus improve the D-PA production. Compared with the wild type, the double-site variant CgKPHMT-K25A/E189S showed 1.8 times higher enzyme activity and 2.1 times higher catalytic efficiency, 1.88 and 3.32 times higher inhibitory constant of α-ketoisovalerate and D-PA, respectively. The D-PA yield using E. coli W3110 adopted the double-site variant was 41.17 g·L^-1 within 48 h, a 9.80 g·L^-1 increase. Structural analysis of K25A/E189S revealed the expansion of the entry channel and the change of the electric charge from negative to uncharged due to the substitution from glutamic acid to serine at site 189. Our study emphasized the positive roles of ketopantoate hydroxymethyltransferase in D-PA production and paved the way by analyzing critical enzymes in the synthetic pathway of E. coli to increase the D-PA yield.

ESPEN micronutrient guideline

BACKGROUND

Trace elements and vitamins, named together micronutrients (MNs), are essential for human metabolism. Recent research has shown the importance of MNs in common pathologies, with significant deficiencies impacting the outcome.

OBJECTIVE

This guideline aims to provide information for daily clinical nutrition practice regarding assessment of MN status, monitoring, and prescription. It proposes a consensus terminology, since many words are used imprecisely, resulting in confusion. This is particularly true for the words "deficiency", "repletion", "complement", and "supplement".

METHODS

The expert group attempted to apply the 2015 standard operating procedures (SOP) for ESPEN which focuses on disease. However, this approach could not be applied due to the multiple diseases requiring clinical nutrition resulting in one text for each MN, rather than for diseases. An extensive search of the literature was conducted in the databases Medline, PubMed, Cochrane, Google Scholar, and CINAHL. The search focused on physiological data, historical evidence (published before PubMed release in 1996), and observational and/or randomized trials. For each MN, the main functions, optimal analytical methods, impact of inflammation, potential toxicity, and provision during enteral or parenteral nutrition were addressed. The SOP wording was applied for strength of recommendations.

RESULTS

There was a limited number of interventional trials, preventing meta-analysis and leading to a low level of evidence. The recommendations underwent a consensus process, which resulted in a percentage of agreement (%): strong consensus required of >90% of votes. Altogether the guideline proposes sets of recommendations for 26 MNs, resulting in 170 single recommendations. Critical MNs were identified with deficiencies being present in numerous acute and chronic diseases. Monitoring and management strategies are proposed.

CONCLUSION

This guideline should enable addressing suboptimal and deficient status of a bundle of MNs in at-risk diseases. In particular, it offers practical advice on MN provision and monitoring during nutritional support.

Cholesterol modified DP7 and pantothenic acid induce dendritic cell homing to enhance the efficacy of dendritic cell vaccines

Dendritic cell (DC)-based cancer vaccines have so far achieved good therapeutic effects in animal experiments and early clinical trials for certain malignant tumors. However, the overall objective response rate in clinical trials rarely exceeds 15%. The poor efficiency of DC migration to lymph nodes (LNs) (< 5%) is one of the main factors limiting the effectiveness of DC vaccines. Therefore, increasing the efficiency of DC migration is expected to further enhance the efficacy of DC vaccines. Here, we used DP7-C (cholesterol modified VQWRIRVAVIRK), which can promote DC migration, as a medium. Through multiomics sequencing and biological experiments, we found that it is the metabolite pantothenic acid (PA) that improves the migration and effectiveness of DC vaccines. We clarified that both DP7-C and PA regulate DC migration by regulating the chemokine receptor CXCR2 and inhibiting miR-142a-3p to affect the NF-κB signaling pathway. This study will lay the foundation for the subsequent use of DP7-C as a universal substance to promote DC migration, further enhance the antitumor effect of DC vaccines, and solve the bottleneck problem of the low migration efficiency and unsatisfactory clinical response rate of DC vaccines.

Immunoassays for the rapid detection of pantothenic acid in pharmaceutical and food products

Pharmaceutical and food products are fortified with pantothenic acid (PA) to address potential deficiency. Therefore, its fast, reliable, and accurate detection is of great importance to the quality control. Here, an indirect competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ic-ELISA) and a gold nanoparticle-based lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA) were established for the determination of PA based on an anti-PA monoclonal antibody (mAb). The ic-ELISA displayed a limit of detection (LOD) of 32.22 ng/mL, and the linear range was 64.44-628.84 ng/mL. Average recoveries of PA in fortified samples were 88.60-110.11% when using the ic-ELISA and a good correlation between the ic-ELISA and LC-MS/MS was obtained when analyzing samples. Furthermore, the developed LFIA strip showed a calculated LOD of 71.99, 115.80, and 240.12 ng/mL in B-complex Vitamin tablets, energy drink and infant milk powder samples, respectively. All the results demonstrated that both of these immunoassays are suitable for determining PA in pharmaceutical and food products.

Pseudomonas donghuensis HYS 7-hydroxytropolone contributes to pathogenicity toward Caenorhabditis elegans and is influenced by pantothenic acid

Pseudomonas donghuensis HYS, a bacterial strain identified from Donghu Lake, has tremendous toxicity toward Caenorhabditis elegans and is characterized by high 7-hydroxytropolone siderophore production. Here, the relationship between pathogenic siderophore production and pantothenic acid was evaluated. The pathogenicity of P. donghuensis HYS was illustrated using C. elegans as a host. Based on slow-killing assay findings, a 7-hydroxytropolone deficiency-causing mutation attenuated P. donghuensis HYS pathogenicity, which was restored by the addition of extracted 7-hydroxytropolone. Moreover, data from real-time qPCR analysis and characteristic absorption assays indicated that pantothenic acid deficiency repressed transcriptional levels of orf9, which further reduced 7-hydroxytropolone production. Furthermore, slow-killing assays indicated that panB and pantothenic acid affected the virulence of P. donghuensis. These results indicate that a 7-hydroxytropolone siderophore-producing strain is virulent toward C. elegans. Our findings demonstrate that pantothenic acid is associated with P. donghuensis siderophore production-related pathogenicity.

UPLC-MS-based urine nontargeted metabolic profiling identifies dysregulation of pantothenate and CoA biosynthesis pathway in diabetic kidney disease

AIMS

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is a major prevalent chronic microvascular complication of type 2 diabetes (T2D). However, the present diagnostic indicators have limitations in the early diagnosis of DKD. This study concentrated on the sensitive and specific biomarkers in early diagnosis of DKD by metabolomics.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, we performed a UPLC-MS based nontargeted metabolomics assay to profile the urinary metabolites in patients with DKD. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and orthogonal partial least square discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) were used for screening out the metabolomic variables.

KEY FINDINGS

A total of 147 urinary metabolites were identified and 5 metabolic pathways were correlated with DKD pathophysiology. Pantothenate and coenzyme A biosynthesis pathway alteration was found the most prominent in DKD subjects. 4 metabolites, including dihydrouracil, ureidopropionic acid, pantothenic acid (PA), and adenosine 3',5'-diphosphate involved in pantothenate and CoA biosynthesis were significantly down-regulated.

SIGNIFICANCE

Our finding indicates that PA would be served as a novel predictive biomarker associated with DKD development and progression. Furthermore, our results provide a promising prospect that PA and CoA biosynthesis pathway can be potential therapeutic targets for DKD treatment.

Pantothenic acid promotes dermal papilla cell proliferation in hair follicles of American minks via inhibitor of DNA Binding 3/Notch signaling pathway

AIMS

Pantothenic acid (PA) has been applied to treat alopecia, but the underlying mechanism is still unclear. Our study aims to explore the underlying mechanism of PA in regulating hair follicle (HF) growth.

MAIN METHODS

Mink HFs and dermal papilla (DP) cells were isolated and cultured in vitro. HFs and DP cells were treated with 0, 10, 20, 40 μg/ml PA. The effect of PA on HF growth, DP cell proliferation, cell cycle distribution, cell migration, and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expressions in DP cells was measured. Moreover, the effect of PA on inhibitor of DNA binding 3 (ID3)/Notch signaling pathway was analyzed. Subsequently, ID3 was silenced to validate whether ID3/Notch signaling pathway was involved in regulating DP cell proliferation by PA.

KEY FINDINGS

Both 20 μg/ml and 40 μg/ml PA promoted HF growth, G1/S transition of DP cells and IGF-1 and VEGF expressions in DP cells, while only 20 μg/ml PA promoted cell viability and the migration of DP cells. Thus 20 μg/ml PA was chosen for the following experiments. PA treatment was found to up-regulate ID3 expression but down-regulate Notch receptor 1 (Notch1) and Notch signaling targets expressions. Furthermore, ID3 knockdown reversed PA-induced cell proliferation and inhibition of Notch1 and Notch signaling targets expressions, indicating that PA-induced DP cell proliferation and inhibition of Notch signaling were mediated via up-regulation of ID3.

SIGNIFICANCE

This study provides an underlying mechanism related to the effect of PA on stimulating DP cell proliferation.

Hot water pretreatment-induced significant metabolite changes in the sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus

Hot water pretreatment of sea cucumbers potentially changes nutritional benefits. This study aimed to quantify hot water pretreatment-induced changes in metabolite profiles of sea cucumber body walls. ICP-OES, GC-MS, and LC-MS analyses of untreated- (UT-BW), hot water-treated body walls (HW-BW) of Apostichopus japonicus, and the hot water extract (HW-E) determined significant losses of minerals (25-50% w/w), protein (~11% w/w), carbohydrate (33% w/w), saponins (~41% w/w), and spermidine (100%), a potential antipsychotic from hot water-treated samples. Multivariate comparisons of HW-BW with UT-BW and HW-BW with HW-E showed increases in amino acids and fatty acids, suggesting hot water-induced degradation or transformation or easier extraction of protein, lipid or other components. Presence of 80 to 88.5% of compounds in the HW-E and lower DHA, EPA and glycerophospholipids levels in HW-BW suggested extraction of these metabolites. These data indicate that novel processing technologies are required to preserve the full nutritional benefits of sea cucumbers.

Vitamin B5 (d-pantothenic acid) localizes in myelinated structures of the rat brain: Potential role for cerebral vitamin B5 stores in local myelin homeostasis

Vitamin B5 (d-pantothenic acid; pantothenate) is an essential trace nutrient that functions as the obligate precursor of coenzyme A (CoA), through which it plays key roles in myriad biological processes, including many that regulate carbohydrate, lipid, protein, and nucleic acid metabolism. In the brain, acetyl-CoA is necessary for synthesis of the complex fatty-acyl chains of myelin, and of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. We recently found that cerebral pantothenate is markedly lowered, averaging ∼55% of control values in cases of Huntington's disease (HD) including those who are pre-symptomatic, and that regions where pantothenate is lowered correspond to those which are more severely damaged. Here we sought to determine the previously unknown distribution of pantothenate in the normal-rat brain, and whether the diabetic rat might be useful as a model for altered cerebral pantothenate metabolism. We employed histological staining (Nissl) to identify brain structures; immunohistochemistry with anti-pantothenate antibodies to determine the distribution of pantothenate in caudate putamen and cerebellum; and gas-chromatography/mass-spectrometry to quantitate levels of pantothenate and other metabolites in normal- and diabetic-rat brain. Remarkably, cerebral pantothenate was almost entirely localized to myelin-containing structures in both experimental groups. Diabetes did not modify levels or disposition of cerebral pantothenate. These findings are consistent with physiological localization of pantothenate in myelinated white-matter structures, where it could serve to support myelin synthesis. Further investigation of cerebral pantothenate is warranted in neurodegenerative diseases such as HD and Alzheimer's disease, where myelin loss is a known characteristic of pathogenesis.

Curative role of pantothenic acid in brain damage of gamma irradiated rats

Radiation induced brain damage is associated with impairment of mitochondrial functions, variations in the level of neurotransmitters, and oxidative stress. Mitochondrial function is closely linked to the level of neurotransmitters since the precursors are supplied by the Kreb's cycle intermediates. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of pantothenic acid, an essential component in the synthesis of Coenzyme A (CoA), on the activity of the Krebs cycle enzymes, isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH), α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase (α-KGDH), and succinate dehydrogenase (SDH); the level of aspartic, glutamic and GABA; the activity of transaminases, and oxidative stress, in the cerebrum of γ-irradiated rats. Pantothenic acid (26 mg/Kg) was orally administered to the rats, 2 h after irradiation and during the following 5 days. Animals were sacrificed the 7th day post-irradiation. The exposure of male albino rats to γ-rays (5 Gy) has triggered oxidative stress notified by a significant elevation in the level of malondialdehyde (MDA), an end product of lipid peroxidation, associated to a significant decrease in the content of phospholipids, and the antioxidant compound glutathione (GSH). The activity of IDH, α-KGDH, and SDH, has significantly decreased, while the level of aspartic, glutamic and GABA has significantly increased. In parallel to these changes, the activity of alanine and aspartate transaminase has significantly increased, compared to their values in the control rats. Pantothenic acid treatment, has significantly attenuated oxidative stress; enhanced the activity of IDH, α-KGDH, and SDH; minimized the increase in the level of amino acids and the activity of transaminases, compared to their values in the cerebrum of irradiated rats. In conclusion, pantothenic acid could improve the level of neurotransmitters amino acids, which depends on the enzymatic activities of Krebs cycle and linked to oxidative stress.

Therapeutic Efficacy of Combination Therapy Using Oral Cyclosporine with a Dietary Supplement (Pantogar®) in Twenty-Nail Dystrophy

Background

Twenty-nail dystrophy (TND) is an acquired idiopathic disease characterized by dull, thin, lusterless, and fragile nails with fissuring, small regular pits, and excessive longitudinal ridging. Although various treatment modalities have been performed in order to treat TND, the effects of these treatments are controversial.

Objective

To evaluate the effectiveness of oral cyclosporine in TND.

Methods

A total of 38 patients with TND were treated with combination therapy using oral cyclosporine with a pantothenic acid complex-based dietary supplement (Pantogar®; Merz Pharmaceuticals GmbH, Germany), whereas 44 patients were treated with the pantothenic acid complex-based dietary supplement alone. The therapeutic efficacy in each group was retrospectively evaluated using medical records and clinical photographs.

Results

The cyclosporine therapy group had significantly more patients whose improvement was rated as almost clear, marked, or moderate compared to the control group (p<0.001). While the mean CHATS (Color, Hyperkeratosis, Area, Thickness, Separation) score of the cyclosporine therapy group was decreased by 13.45 (from 30.95 to 17.5) after treatment, the mean CHATS score of the control group was only decreased by 8 (from 29.43 to 21.43, p<0.001). Moreover, greater Dermatology Life Quality Index changes after treatment were observed in the cyclosporine therapy group (p=0.085).

Conclusion

Oral cyclosporine can be a valuable therapeutic option in patients with TND.

The long-term relationship between dietary pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) intake and C-reactive protein concentration in adults aged 40 years and older

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Low-grade inflammation, represented by minor C-reactive protein (CRP) elevation, has a critical role in the early stages of atherosclerosis, and pantothenic acid (PA) may have an antioxidant effect in inflammatory process. However, the long-term relationship between PA intake and CRP has not yet been studied. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the long-term relationship of PA intake to CRP concentration in healthy adults aged 40 years or older living in a rural area of South Korea.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A total of 908 subjects (349 men, 559 women) with repeated data on dietary PA intake and CRP concentration were included in the final analysis. To represent the long-term effect of PA intake, both PA intake at the baseline and average PA intake were used as the exposure, and CRP concentration at the third visit and its change from the baseline to the third visit were used as the outcome. After adjustment for potential confounders, a significant inverse relationship between PA intake and CRP concentration at the third visit was observed (P for trend = 0.001, β = -0.07 (P-value = 0.001) for PA _baseline; P for trend = <0.0001, β = -0.11 (P-value = 0.0004) for PA _{average (baseline, 2nd, 3rd)}). Higher PA intake was significantly related to lower or attenuated increase in CRP concentration (P for trend = 0.002, β = -0.24 (P-value = 0.002) for PA _baseline; P for trend = 0.001, β = -0.35 (P-value = 0.001) for PA _{average (baseline, 2nd, 3rd)}).

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, dietary PA intake was inversely related to subsequent CRP concentration in both men and women aged 40 years or older in South Korea.

Effects of pantothenic acid on growth performance, slaughter performance, lipid metabolism, and antioxidant function of Wulong geese aged one to four weeks

This experiment was conducted to study the effects of pantothenic acid on the growth performance, slaughter performance, lipid metabolism, and antioxidant function of one-to four-week-old Wulong geese and determine the appropriate supplemental level of pantothenic acid. A total of 360 one-day-old Wulong geese were randomly divided into 6 groups with 6 replicates per group and 10 geese (5 males and 5 females) per replicate. The geese in group Ⅰ (control group) were fed a basal diet, and the geese in groups Ⅱ to Ⅵ (experimental groups) were given the basal diet supplemented with 8, 15, 30, 60, and 120 mg/kg pantothenic acid, respectively. The experiment lasted for 4 weeks. Based on the results of unrelated comparative analysis, the body weight was the highest when the dietary pantothenic acid level was 27.57 mg/kg. When the dietary pantothenic acid level was 26.17 mg/kg, the average daily gain peaked. When the dietary pantothenic acid level was 15.50 mg/kg, the feed:gain ratio was the lowest. The percentage of abdominal fat in groups Ⅲ and Ⅳ was significantly lower than that in group Ⅰ (P < 0.05). The content of total cholesterol in serum in groups Ⅲ to Ⅴ was significantly lower than that in group Ⅰ (P < 0.05). The triglyceride content in groups Ⅲ and Ⅳ was significantly lower than that in group Ⅰ (P < 0.01). The high-density lipoprotein–cholesterol content in group Ⅳ was significantly higher than that in group Ⅰ (P < 0.05). The total antioxidant capacity of serum and liver in group Ⅳ was significantly higher than that in group Ⅰ (P < 0.05). The malondialdehyde content in the liver in groups Ⅲ and Ⅳ was significantly lower than that in group Ⅰ (P < 0.05). Glutathione peroxidase activity in the serum in group Ⅳ was significantly higher than that in group Ⅰ (P < 0.05). Glutathione peroxidase activity in the liver in groups Ⅳ and Ⅴ was significantly higher than that in group Ⅰ (P < 0.01). The addition of pantothenic acid in the diet of one-to four-week-old Wulong geese significantly affected the growth performance, slaughter performance, lipid metabolism, and antioxidant function of the geese. In terms of economic benefits, the optimal supplemental level of pantothenic acid in one-to four-week-old geese was 15.50 mg/kg.

Vitamin D deficiency changes the intestinal microbiome reducing B vitamin production in the gut. The resulting lack of pantothenic acid adversely affects the immune system, producing a "pro-inflammatory" state associated with atherosclerosis and autoimmunity

STUDY OBJECTIVES

Vitamin D blood levels of 60-80ng/ml promote normal sleep. The present study was undertaken to explore why this beneficial effect waned after 2years as arthritic pain increased. Pantothenic acid becomes coenzyme A, a cofactor necessary for cortisol and acetylcholine production. 1950s experiments suggested a connection between pantothenic acid deficiency, autoimmune arthritis and insomnia. The B vitamins have been shown to have an intestinal bacterial source and a food source, suggesting that the normal intestinal microbiome may have always been the primary source of B vitamins. Review of the scientific literature shows that pantothenic acid does not have a natural food source, it is supplied by the normal intestinal bacteria. In order to test the hypothesis that vitamin D replacement slowly induced a secondary pantothenic acid deficiency, B100 (100mg of all B vitamins except 100mcg of B12 and biotin and 400mcg of folate) was added to vitamin D supplementation.

METHODS

Vitamin D and B100 were recommended to over 1000 neurology patients. Sleep characteristics, pain levels, neurologic symptoms, and bowel complaints were recorded by the author at routine appointments.

RESULTS

Three months of vitamin D plus B100 resulted in improved sleep, reduced pain and unexpected resolution of bowel symptoms. These results suggest that the combination of vitamin D plus B100 creates an intestinal environment that favors the return of the four specific species, Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes and Proteobacteria that make up the normal human microbiome.

HYPOTHESES

1) Seasonal fluctuations in vitamin D levels have normally produced changes in the intestinal microbiome that promoted weight gain in winter. Years of vitamin D deficiency, however, results in a permanently altered intestinal environment that no longer favors the "healthy foursome". 2) Humans have always had a commensal relationship with their intestinal microbiome. We supplied them vitamin D, they supplied us B vitamins. 3) The four species that make up the normal microbiome are also commensal, each excretes at least one B vitamin that the other three need but cannot make. 4) Improved sleep and more cellular repairs eventually depletes body stores of pantothenic acid, causing reduced cortisol production, increased arthritic pain and widespread "pro-inflammatory" effects on the immune system. 5) Pantothenic acid deficiency also decreases available acetylcholine, the neurotransmitter used by the parasympathetic nervous system. Unopposed, increased sympathetic tone then produces hypertension, tachycardia, atrial arrhythmias and a "hyper-adrenergic" state known to predispose to heart disease and stroke.

Correction of a genetic deficiency in pantothenate kinase 1 using phosphopantothenate replacement therapy

Coenzyme A (CoA) is a ubiquitous cofactor involved in numerous essential biochemical transformations, and along with its thioesters is a key regulator of intermediary metabolism. Pantothenate (vitamin B5) phosphorylation by pantothenate kinase (PanK) is thought to control the rate of CoA production. Pantothenate kinase associated neurodegeneration is a hereditary disease that arises from mutations that inactivate the human PANK2 gene. Aryl phosphoramidate phosphopantothenate derivatives were prepared to test the feasibility of using phosphopantothenate replacement therapy to bypass the genetic deficiency in the Pank1(-/-) mouse model. The efficacies of candidate compounds were first compared by measuring the ability to increase CoA levels in Pank1(-/-) mouse embryo fibroblasts. Administration of selected candidate compounds to Pank1(-/-) mice corrected their deficiency in hepatic CoA. The PanK bypass was confirmed by the incorporation of intact phosphopantothenate into CoA using triple-isotopically labeled compound. These results provide strong support for PanK as a master regulator of intracellular CoA and illustrate the feasibility of employing PanK bypass therapy to restore CoA levels in genetically deficient mice.

Dietary pantothenic acid depressed the gill immune and physical barrier function via NF-κB, TOR, Nrf2, p38MAPK and MLCK signaling pathways in grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella)

This study explored the effects of pantothenic acid (PA) on the immune and physical barrier function, and relative mRNA levels of signaling molecules in the gill of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella). The results indicated that compared with optimal PA supplementation, PA deficiency (1.31 mg/kg diet) decreased gill interleukin 10, transforming growth factor β1, inhibitor of κBα (IκBα), eIF4E-binding protein 2, Claudin b and ZO-1 mRNA levels; anti-superoxide anion activity, and activities and mRNA levels of copper/zinc superoxide dismutase, manganese superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase and NF-E2-related factor (P < 0.05). Additionally, PA deficiency and excess (75.08 mg/kg diet) decreased gill complement 3 and glutathione contents, lysozyme and acid phosphatase, anti-hydroxy radical, catalase and glutathione S-transferases activities, and liver-expression antimicrobial peptide 2, hepcidin, Claudin 3, Claudin c and Occludin mRNA levels (P < 0.05). Conversely, PA deficiency increased gill reactive oxygen species and protein carbonyl contents, and interferon γ2, interleukin 8, nuclear factor kappa B P65, Claudin 15a, Kelch-like ECH-associating protein 1a and Kelch-like ECH-associating protein 1b mRNA levels (P<0.05). Moreover, PA deficiency and excess increased gill malondialdehyde content, and tumor necrosis factor α, interleukin 1β, IκB kinase α, IκB kinase β, IκB kinase γ, target of rapamycin and ribosomal S6 protein kinase1 p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases and myosin light-chain kinase mRNA levels (P<0.05). In conclusion, PA deficiency decreased immune and physical barrier function, and regulated relative mRNA levels of signaling molecules in fish gill. Based on the quadratic regression analysis of gill lysozyme activity, the optimal PA levels in grass carp (253.44-745.25 g) were estimated to be 36.97 mg/kg diet.

Dietary pantothenic acid deficiency and excess depress the growth, intestinal mucosal immune and physical functions by regulating NF-κB, TOR, Nrf2 and MLCK signaling pathways in grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella)

This study investigated the effects of dietary pantothenic acid (PA) on the growth, intestinal mucosal immune and physical barrier, and relative mRNA levels of signaling molecules in the intestine of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella). A total of 540 grass carp (253.44 ± 0.69 g) were fed six diets with graded levels of PA (PA1, PA15, PA30, PA45, PA60 and PA75 diets) for 8 weeks. The results indicated that compared with PA deficiency (PA1 diet) and excess (PA75 diet) groups, optimal PA supplementation increased (P < 0.05): (1) percent weight gain (PWG), feed intake and feed efficiency; (2) lysozyme activity, complement 3 content, liver-expressed antimicrobial peptide 2 and hepcidin, interleukin 10, transforming growth factor β1 and inhibitor of κBα mRNA levels in some intestinal segments; (3) activities and mRNA levels of copper/zinc superoxide dismutase, manganese superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione S-transferases and glutathione reductase, and NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) mRNA level in the whole intestine; (4) Claudin b, Claudin 3, Claudin c, Occludin and ZO-1 mRNA levels in some intestinal segments of grass carp. Conversely, optimal PA supplementation decreased (P < 0.05): (1) tumor necrosis factor α, interleukin 1β, interferon γ2, interleukin 8, nuclear factor κB P65 (NF-κB P65), IκB kinase α, IκB kinase β, IκB kinase γ and target of rapamycin (TOR) mRNA expression levels in some intestinal segments; (2) reactive oxygen species, malondialdehyde and protein carbonyl contents, and Kelch-like ECH-associating protein 1a, Kelch-like ECH-associating protein 1b in the intestine; (3) Claudin 12, Claudin 15a and myosin light-chain kinase (MLCK) mRNA levels in some intestinal segments of grass carp. In conclusion, optimum PA promoted growth, intestinal mucosal immune and physical function, as well as regulated mRNA levels of signaling molecules NF-κB P65, TOR, Nrf2 and MLCK in grass carp intestine. Based on the quadratic regression analysis of PWG and intestinal lysozyme activity, the optimal PA levels in grass carp (253.44-745.25 g) were estimated to be 37.73 mg/kg and 41.38 mg/kg diet, respectively.

Protective effects of dexpanthenol in an experimental model of necrotizing enterocolitis

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

In pathogenesis of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), both oxidative stress and inflammation are considerable risk factors. The study was designed to evaluate whether administration of dexpanthenol (Dxp) is able to attenuate intestinal injury through the antioxidant and antiinflammatory mechanisms in a neonatal rat model of NEC.

METHODS

Forty newborn pups divided into four groups were included in the study: control, control+Dxp, NEC, and NEC+Dxp. NEC was induced by hyperosmolar formula and additionally the pups were exposed to hypoxia/hyperoxia and cold stress. They were sacrificed on postnatal day four, and their intestinal tissues were analyzed biochemically and histopathologically.

RESULTS

Dxp caused a significant decrease in intestinal damage as determined by the histological score, villus height and number of goblet cells in NEC groups (p<0.0001). Tissue malondialdehyde, total oxidant status, and oxidative stress indexes levels were higher in the NEC group than in the control and control+Dxp groups (p<0.001). These values were reduced in the pups treated with Dxp (p≤0.004). Superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and reduced glutathione activities were significantly reduced in the NEC group compared to the others (p<0.005). Treatment with Dxp significantly reduced elevations in tissue homogenate levels of tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-1β in the NEC+Dxp group (p=0.002 and p=0.01, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Dexpanthenol seems to have antiinflammatory and antioxidant properties. Prophylaxis with Dxp has a potential to reduce the severity of intestinal damage in NEC in the animals.

The sodium/multivitamin transporter: a multipotent system with therapeutic implications

The Na(+)/multivitamin transporter (SMVT) is a member of the solute:sodium symporter family that catalyzes the Na(+)-dependent uptake of the structurally diverse water-soluble vitamins pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) and biotin (vitamin H), α-lipoic acid-a vitamin-like substance with strong antioxidant properties-and iodide. The organic substrates of SMVT play central roles in the cellular metabolism and are, therefore, essential for normal human health and development. For example, biotin deficiency leads to growth retardation, dermatological disorders, and neurological disorders. Animal studies have shown that biotin deficiency during pregnancy is directly correlated to embryonic growth retardation, congenital malformation, and death of the embryo. This chapter focuses on the structural and functional features of the human isoform of SMVT (hSMVT); the discovery of which was greatly facilitated by the cloning and expression of hSMVT in tractable expression systems. Special emphasis will be given to mechanistic implications of the transport process of hSMVT that will inform our understanding of the molecular determinants of hSMVT-mediated transport in dynamic context to alleviate the development and optimization of hSMVT as a multipotent platform for drug delivery.

Differential responses of B vitamins in black soybean seeds

This study was aimed to determine the contents and the association of B vitamins from seeds of 10 black and one yellow soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) varieties with either green or yellow cotyledon. Thiamine, flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD), riboflavin and total riboflavin were found highest in 'Chengjakong', while flavin mononucleotide (FMN) was greatest in 'Mirang'. Nicotinic acid and total vitamin B3 were highest in 'Shingi' as a yellow soybean variety but pantothenic acid and pyridoxine contents were greatest in 'Tawon' and 'Mirang', respectively. These content variations of B vitamins directly reflected the wide segregation of soybean varieties on the principal component analysis (PCA) scores plot, indicating that these 4 soybean varieties appeared to be least associated with other soybean varieties based on the different responses of B vitamins. The results of cluster and correlation analyses presented that the cotyledon colour of soybean seed contributed to a variation of B vitamin contents. Overall, the results suggest that a wide range of B vitamin contents would be affected by genotypic factors alongside the difference of cotyledon colour.

Effects of pantothenic acid supplement on secretion of steroids by the adrenal cortex in female rats

Purpose

The effect of pantothenic acid (PaA) supplementation on adrenal secretion of corticosterone and progesterone in female rats was investigated.

Methods

An in-vitro primary adrenal cell culture system was used. Pregnant rats were given 0.03% PaA in their drinking water throughout pregnancy and the period of lactation. In the first experiment, after weaning, female rats continued to receive 0.03% PaA treatment until 10 weeks of age. The animals were then decapitated and adrenal cells were cultured in the absence or presence of rat adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) for 4 h. In the second experiment, adrenal cells from lactating rats on day 5 of lactation were cultured in the absence or presence of rat ACTH for 4 h.

Results

The effect of ACTH at 10^-10 m on corticosterone and progesterone release was greater for PaA-treated cyclic rats than for control cyclic rats. The effect of ACTH at 10^-10 m on corticosterone release was greater for PaA-treated lactating rats than for control lactating rats. Circulating ACTH and corticosterone levels in PaA-treated and control cyclic and lactating rats were no different.

Conclusions

These results indicate that PaA supplementation induced hyperresponsiveness to ACTH stimulation in cyclic and lactating female rats. These results clearly demonstrated that PaA is an essential factor in adrenal steroidogenesis of female rats.