Pantethine supports healthy cholesterol and lipoprotein metabolism, study shows
Highlights
- Double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (120 men and women)
- Pantethine supports cholesterol and lipoprotein metabolism
- Supplementation dosage (600 to 900 mg/day) is well tolerated
Summary
This double-blind, placebo controlled trial involved 120 men and women at low or moderate risk for heart disease living in North America. Subjects followed a Therapeutic Lifestyle Change (TLC) diet 4 weeks before starting the study and maintained the diet throughout a 16-week study period. Subjects were randomly assigned to take pantethine or a placebo. The amount of pantethine was 600 mg/day (baseline to week 8) and 900 mg/day (weeks 9-16).
By week 16, pantethine significantly (P<.05) reduced total cholesterol (6 mg/dL, 3%), LDL cholesterol (4 mg/dL, 4%), and apolipoprotein B (4 mg/dL, 5%), compared to placebo. As early as week 2, pantethine produced significant decreases in total and LDL cholesterol, TC/HDL ratio, non-HDL, and apo-B, which were sustained throughout the 16-week study period. No significant between-group differences were found for apo-A, HDL cholesterol or triglyceride levels.
The dosage increase from 600 to 900 mg/day did not appear to provide any additional or measurable benefit, suggesting the optimal benefit in these low- to moderate-risk subjects is achieved at a 300-mg, twice-per-day, dosing schedule. Pantethine was well tolerated with a low frequency of side effects, primarily mild gastrointestinal complaints.
