Benfotiamine

Benfotiamine
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Overview:
Benfotiamine is a synthetic S-acyl derivative of vitamin B1 (thiamine) with neuroprotective effects. By increasing vitamin B1 levels, benfotiamine can increase energy, mood and alertness.

Scientific Name:
S-Benzoylthiamine O-monophosphate

Mechanisms:

  • After ingestion, benfotiamine is converted into vitamin B1 (thiamine)[1]
  • This synthetic S-acyl derivative of thiamine has a 5-fold higher bioavailability[1]
  • Thiamine increases the production of ATP by enhancing carbohydrate metabolism[2]
  • Thiamine increases mood, energy, and alertness[2]
  • Useful for the treatment of neuropathies and chronic pain[3]
  • Can increase the activity of transketolase – reduces vascular damage associated with neuropathy and retinopathy[4]
  • Antioxidant action via NADPH oxidase[5]
  • Decreases the levels of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) – substances that contribute to neurodegeneration[6]
REFERENCES

[1] Loew D (1996). Pharmacokinetics of thiamine derivatives especially of benfotiamine. Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther, 34(2):47-50. PMID: 8929745
[2] Lonsdale D (2006). A review of the biochemistry, metabolism and clinical benefits of thiamin(e) and its derivatives. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med, 3(1):49-59. doi: 10.1093/ecam/nek009
[3] Sánchez-Ramírez GM, et al (2006). Benfotiamine relieves inflammatory and neuropathic pain in rats. Eur J Pharmacol, 530(1-2):48-53. doi: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2005.11.016
[4] Hammes HP, et al (2003). Benfotiamine blocks three major pathways of hyperglycemic damage and prevents experimental diabetic retinopathy. Nat Med, 9(3):294-9. doi: 10.1038/nm834
[5] Fraser DA, et al (2012). Benfotiamine increases glucose oxidation and downregulates NADPH oxidase 4 expression in cultured human myotubes exposed to both normal and high glucose concentrations. Genes Nutr, 7(3):459-69. doi 10.1007/s12263-011-0252-8
[6] Alkhalaf A, et al (2012). Effect of benfotiamine on advanced glycation endproducts and markers of endothelial dysfunction and inflammation in diabetic nephropathy. PLoS One, 7(7):e40427. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0040427