USMLE

Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid)

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Vitamins
  1. Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) Biochemistry
  2. Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) Deficiency
  3. Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)
  4. Vitamin B3 (Niacin) Biochemistry
  5. Vitamin B3 (Niacin) Deficiency and Excess
  6. Hartnup Disease
  7. Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid)
  8. Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)
  9. Vitamin B7 (Biotin)
  10. Vitamin B9 (Folate)
  11. Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) Biochemistry
  12. Vitamins B9 and B12 Deficiencies
  13. Vitamin A (Retinol) Biochemistry
  14. Vitamin A (Retinol) Deficiency and Excess
  15. Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) Biochemistry
  16. Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) Deficiency and Excess
  17. Vitamin D Biochemistry
  18. Vitamin D Deficiency and Excess
  19. Vitamin E (Tocopherol/Tocotrienol)
  20. Vitamin K Biochemistry
  21. Vitamin K Deficiency
  22. Zinc
  23. Kwashiorkor and Marasmus

Summary

Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid) is a water-soluble vitamin which serves a key role in the synthesis of CoA (coenzyme A), a cofactor in many metabolic reactions. It is also plays a role in fatty acid synthesis, as it is a cofactor for the enzyme fatty acid synthase (FAS). Vitamin B5 Deficiency is rare, and primarily presents with symptoms of gastroenteritis (diarrhea), with possible adrenal insufficiency, dermatitis, or alopecia.

Key Points

  • Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid)
    • Essential cofactor for:
      • coenzyme A (CoA)
        • cofactor for acyl transfers
        • key role in first step of TCA cycle (oxaloacetate to citrate)
      • fatty acid synthase
  • Deficiency (low yield)
    • rare, seen in the severely malnourished
      • enteritis/GI distress
      • dermatis, alopecia, and adrenal insufficiency also seen


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