What is the Difference Between Pantethine and Pantothenic Acid

The main difference between pantethine and pantothenic acid is that pantethine is a vitamin derivative, whereas pantothenic is a vitamin.

Vitamins help the body to grow and function well. There are 13 essential vitamins in the body: Vitamin K, A, D, E, C, and B. These vitamins perform different but specific functions. For example, some vitamins may help in getting energy from food, some may help the blood clot properly, some will help you resist infections, and some may keep nerves healthy.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is Pantethine
     – Definition, Nature, Features
2. What is Pantothenic Acid
     – Definition, Nature, Features
3. Difference Between Pantethine and Pantothenic Acid
     – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Pantethine, Pantothenic Acid

What is Pantethine

Pantethine is a chemical that occurs naturally in the body and is related to vitamin B5. It is a derivative of vitamin B5. In other words, it is the biologically active form of vitamin B5. The chemical formula of pantethine is C₂₂H₄₂N₄O₈S₂. Its molar mass is 554.721g per mole.

Structurally, pantethine is the dimeric form of pantetheine, which is produced from pantothenic acid by the addition of cysteamine. The formation of pantethine involves linking two pantetheine molecules through disulfide bonds, resulting in a dimer. Pantethine is the stable form of pantetheine.

Coenzyme A (CoA) plays a crucial role in transporting fatty acids to and from mitochondria and cells. Pantethine is related to CoA because it contains pantothenic acid, which is a precursor to CoA in the body. The synthetic pathway from pantethine to CoA is much shorter than that of pantothenic acid, making pantetheine the preferred therapeutic substance. Pantetheine also lowers lipid content. Pantethine also lowers blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels. It also increases high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. Its mechanism of action is due to the inhibition of cholesterol synthesis and acceleration of fatty acid breakdown in the mitochondria. Moreover, pantethine is a chemical compound of great benefit to angina diseases condition. When the supply of oxygen reduces, the heart’s pantethine level also decreases.

Pantethine is available as a dietary supplement and is sometimes used as a medicine. The standard dose for pantethine is 900 mg per day. It is taken by mouth. The side effects of pantethine include diarrhea, stomach discomfort, and nausea. Pantethine might slow blood clotting. If a patient has a bleeding disorder, it is always advised to consult the doctor before proceeding with pantethine.

What is Pantothenic Acid

Pantothenic acid is vitamin B. It is a water-soluble chemical compound. It is an essential nutrient. The chemical formula of pantothenic acid is  C₉H₁₇NO₅. The melting point of pantothenic acid is 183.8 °C, and the boiling point is 551.5 °C. The density of this compound is 1.27 g/cm³. Meanwhile, the molar mass of the compound is  219.23 g/mol. Pantothenic acid is present in both plants and animals, including vegetables, meat, eggs, milk,  legumes, grains, beef, chicken, whole grains, organ meat, and milk. It is also available as a dietary supplement. Pantothenic acid is even added to various foods, including beverages and breakfast cereals. Though pantothenic acid is available in high concentrations in plants and animals, only 40%-60% could be absorbed. Moreover, food processing can lower the concentrations of pantothenic acid in them.

The main function of pantothenic acid is the synthesis of CoA and acyl career protein. About 85% of dietary pantothenic acid is in the form of CoA or phosphopantetheine [2,4]. The conversion of these compounds happens in the digestive tract by the digestive enzymes, nucleosidases, peptidases, and phosphorylases, especially in the intestinal cells and in the intestinal lumens. Pantothenic acid is absorbed in the intestine and delivered directly to the bloodstream. This process occurs by active transport.

Pantothenic acid is important in maintaining healthy skin. It is also helpful in the utilization of carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins. Pantethenic is given as a treatment for pantothenic acid deficiency. Though the usual dosage is 5mg per day, larger amounts of up to 1g are safe for many people. However, taking larger amounts of the relevant acids increase the possibility of getting diarrhea.

Difference Between Pantethine and Pantothenic Acid

Definition

Pantethine is a derivative of vitamin B5 that occurs naturally in the body, while pantothenic acid is vitamin B.

Nature

pantethine is a vitamin derivative, whereas pantothenic is a vitamin.

Chemical Formula

The chemical formula of pantethine is C₂₂H₄₂N₄O₈S₂, whereas the chemical formula of pantothenic acid is C_₉H_₁₇NO_₅. 

Molecular Weight

The molar mass of pantethine is 554.721 g/mol, whereas the molar mass of pantothenic acid is 219.23g/mol.

Pathway to CoA

The synthetic pathway from pantethine to CoA is short, while the pathway from pantothenic acid to CoA is relatively long.

Conclusion

Vitamins are chemical compounds essential for the growth and functioning of the body. There are many different types of vitamins. Pantothenic acid is vitamin B5. The main difference between pantethine and pantothenic acid is that pantethine is a vitamin derivative, whereas pantothenic is a vitamin.

Reference:

1. “Pantethine – Uses, Side Effects, and More.” WebMD.
2. “Pantothenic Acid – Vitamin B5.” Harvard T.H. CHAN. School of Public Health.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Pantothenic-acid-3D-balls” By Jynto (talk) – This image was created with Discovery Studio Visualizer. (CC0) via Commons Wikimedia