A common nutritional supplement may offer a new avenue for treating psoriasis, an autoimmune skin condition that currently has no cure. Researchers in Beijing have found that pantethine, a derivative of vitamin B5, can limit the activity of immune cells that drive the disease, according to findings published in the Journal of Experimental Medicine (JEM).
Psoriasis causes itchy, scaly patches on the skin, most often on the knees, elbows, and around the waist. The condition affects millions worldwide and is linked to significant physical and emotional burden. The new study, conducted at the State Key Laboratory of Biomedical Analysis, suggests that pantethine could help alleviate symptoms by targeting dendritic cells, which are specialized immune cells that coordinate immune responses.
The research team, led by co-lead author Dr. Wei-Na Zhang, discovered that dendritic cells from psoriasis patients have elevated levels of enzymes called Vanins. These enzymes convert pantethine into vitamin B5, reducing pantethine levels and leading to increased cholesterol synthesis and dendritic cell hyperactivation. This process promotes inflammation and contributes to autoimmune diseases like psoriasis.
In a small proof-of-concept trial, 24 psoriasis patients were treated with an ointment; half also received pantethine tablets. Over 12 weeks, those given the supplement showed improved symptoms, particularly if they had elevated blood cholesterol levels at the start. The results were described as "encouraging" by the researchers.
Dr. Zhang explained the mechanism: "Metabolic pathways and their associated metabolites play vital roles in regulating immune cell function and autoimmune progression." He added that "insufficient pantethine levels may be the crucial contributor to hyperactivation of dendritic cells, and autoimmune inflammation following the up-regulation of Vanins," speaking to the Journal of Experimental Medicine.
The team also found that treating mice with a drug that inhibits Vanins prevented the animals from developing psoriasis entirely. Pantethine is widely available as a supplement, often used to lower cholesterol due to its ability to inhibit cholesterol synthesis. High blood cholesterol is considered a major risk factor for psoriasis.
The study's authors concluded that the trial demonstrated "encouraging therapeutic efficacy of pantethine as an adjunctive therapy in psoriasis, providing a foundation for therapeutic strategies targeting dendritic-mediated autoimmune diseases." The findings open the door to further research into metabolic approaches for autoimmune skin conditions.
For local readers affected by psoriasis, this research highlights the potential of a readily available supplement. However, experts caution that the trial was small and further studies are needed before pantethine can be recommended as a standard treatment. Patients should consult their healthcare providers before starting any new supplement regimen.