Benfotiamine
Encyclopedia
Benfotiamine is a synthetic S-acyl derivative of thiamine
(vitamin B1). After absorption, benfotiamine can be dephosphorylated by cells bearing an ecto-alkaline phosphatase to the lipid-soluble S-benzoylthiamine. Benfotiamine should not be confused with allithiamine
, a naturally occurring thiamine disulfide derivative with a distinct pharmacological profile.
is as an "anti-AGE" supplement.
In a trial, benfotiamine lowered AGE by 40%.
However, in Germany doctors have been known to combine benfotiamine with pyridoxine hydrochloride
and use it to treat patients with nerve damage and nerve pain such as sciatica
.
At high doses, benfotiamine was shown to be effective for the treatment of diabetic retinopathy
, neuropathy, and nephropathy
. It is thought that treatment with benfotiamine leads to increased intracellular thiamine diphosphate levels, a cofactor of transketolase
. This enzyme directs advanced glycation
and lipoxidation end products (AGE's, ALE's) substrates to the pentose phosphate pathway
, thus reducing tissue AGEs.
Thiamine
Thiamine or thiamin or vitamin B1 , named as the "thio-vitamine" is a water-soluble vitamin of the B complex. First named aneurin for the detrimental neurological effects if not present in the diet, it was eventually assigned the generic descriptor name vitamin B1. Its phosphate derivatives are...
(vitamin B1). After absorption, benfotiamine can be dephosphorylated by cells bearing an ecto-alkaline phosphatase to the lipid-soluble S-benzoylthiamine. Benfotiamine should not be confused with allithiamine
Allithiamine
Allithiamine , or thiamine allyl disulfide , is a lipid-soluble form of vitamin B1 which occurs naturally in garlic. It is more bioavailable than the water-soluble form of vitamin B1, thiamine, and is the preferred form to be taken in case of a vitamin deficiency....
, a naturally occurring thiamine disulfide derivative with a distinct pharmacological profile.
Uses
The primary use of this antioxidantAntioxidant
An antioxidant is a molecule capable of inhibiting the oxidation of other molecules. Oxidation is a chemical reaction that transfers electrons or hydrogen from a substance to an oxidizing agent. Oxidation reactions can produce free radicals. In turn, these radicals can start chain reactions. When...
is as an "anti-AGE" supplement.
In a trial, benfotiamine lowered AGE by 40%.
However, in Germany doctors have been known to combine benfotiamine with pyridoxine hydrochloride
Vitamin B6
Vitamin B6 is a water-soluble vitamin and is part of the vitamin B complex group. Several forms of the vitamin are known, but pyridoxal phosphate is the active form and is a cofactor in many reactions of amino acid metabolism, including transamination, deamination, and decarboxylation...
and use it to treat patients with nerve damage and nerve pain such as sciatica
Sciatica
Sciatica is a set of symptoms including pain that may be caused by general compression or irritation of one of five spinal nerve roots that give rise to each sciatic nerve, or by compression or irritation of the left or right or both sciatic nerves. The pain is felt in the lower back, buttock, or...
.
At high doses, benfotiamine was shown to be effective for the treatment of diabetic retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy is retinopathy caused by complications of diabetes mellitus, which can eventually lead to blindness....
, neuropathy, and nephropathy
Nephropathy
Nephropathy refers to damage to or disease of the kidney. An older term for this is nephrosis.-Causes:Causes of nephropathy include administration of analgesics, xanthine oxidase deficiency, and long-term exposure to lead or its salts...
. It is thought that treatment with benfotiamine leads to increased intracellular thiamine diphosphate levels, a cofactor of transketolase
Transketolase
Transketolase, an enzyme of both the pentose phosphate pathway in animals and the Calvin cycle of photosynthesis, catalyzes two important reactions, which operate in opposite directions in these two pathways...
. This enzyme directs advanced glycation
Glycation
Glycation is the result of the bonding of a protein or lipid molecule with a sugar molecule, such as fructose or glucose, without the controlling action of an enzyme. All blood sugars are reducing molecules. Glycation may occur either inside the body or outside the body...
and lipoxidation end products (AGE's, ALE's) substrates to the pentose phosphate pathway
Pentose phosphate pathway
The pentose phosphate pathway is a process that generates NADPH and pentoses . There are two distinct phases in the pathway. The first is the oxidative phase, in which NADPH is generated, and the second is the non-oxidative synthesis of 5-carbon sugars...
, thus reducing tissue AGEs.