STUDIES ON THE METABOLISM OF PANTOTHENIC ACID IN MAN AND RABBITS

Abstract

Following a large dose of Ca-pantothenate the amt. in the blood increases rapidly, depending on the size of the dose and the mode of adm.; parenteral adm. produces a more marked rise than oral. The ratio between the pantothenic acid content of plasma and cells following the adm. of a test dose was 4.2-12.0 as compared with a ratio of approx. one in normal animals. Over 50% of the total pantothenic acid recovered in the urine of humans following the adm. of one g. of Ca-pantothenate occurred during the 1st 2 hrs. Thereafter there was a rapid decrement in the rate of excretion, parallel with a decrease in the amts. in the blood; the total recovery in 26 hrs. in 3 subjects was 7.8, 11.7 and 6.8%. Of 400 mg. of Ca-pantothenate adm. to a rabbit 52% was recovered in the urine within 24 hrs. when the dose was oral. 74% when it was parenteral.