biotin

Action and Spectrum

Actions and Spectrum: 

The water-soluble vitamin biotin, commonly known as vitamin H or vitamin B7, is necessary for the body’s different metabolic functions. It functions as a coenzyme, meaning it assists enzymes in carrying out their biochemical reactions. The mechanism of action of biotin is primarily related to its involvement in carboxylation reactions. 

biotin is a cofactor for several essential carboxylase enzymes involved in various metabolic pathways. These enzymes add a carboxyl group (COOH) to specific substrates, thus facilitating the conversion of these substrates into their active forms. The carboxylases that require biotin as a cofactor include: 

• Acetyl-CoA carboxylase: This enzyme is involved in the synthesis of fatty acids. It catalyzes acetyl-CoA conversion to malonyl-CoA, a critical step in fatty acid biosynthesis. 
• Pyruvate carboxylase: This enzyme is essential in gluconeogenesis, which occurs during fasting or low carbohydrate intake. Pyruvate carboxylase converts pyruvate, a product of glycolysis, into oxaloacetate, which can be used for glucose synthesis. 
• Propionyl-CoA carboxylase: This enzyme participates in the metabolism of specific amino acids, odd-chain fatty acids, and cholesterol. It converts propionyl-CoA into methyl malonyl-CoA, which can be further metabolized. 

By facilitating these carboxylation reactions, biotin converts various substrates into active forms, which is crucial for energy production and synthesizing essential molecules in the body. 

Regarding the spectrum of activity, biotin does not exhibit antimicrobial or antibiotic properties. It is primarily involved in metabolic processes within the human body.

It is required by numerous organisms, including bacteria, fungi, and plants, for their metabolic functions. However, the specific metabolic pathways and enzymes that biotin interacts with can differ among organisms. 

Drug Interaction

Adverse Reaction

Frequency not defined

No side effects were reported, with daily dosage of 10 mg

Black Box Warning

None

Contraindication / Caution

None

Caution:

Allergic reactions: Supplemental biotin can cause allergic reactions in some people. If you have symptoms like rash, itching, swelling, vertigo, or difficulty in breathing after taking biotin, stop taking it and visit the healthcare provider.

Interference with lab tests: Biotin supplement can interfere with specific laboratory tests like thyroid function tests and troponin levels.

Medication interactions: Biotin supplements can interact with medications like anticonvulsant drugs like phenytoin and carbamazepine. They can reduce the levels of biotin in the body.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Biotin is safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding. It is necessary to take advise from healthcare provider before raking new supplements during breastfeeding and pregnancy.

Dosage considerations: Biotin is available in different forms and dose. The suggested dosage instruction must be followed. Excessive intake of biotin supplements is not suggested as there is limited evidence of the long-term effects in high doses.

Health conditions: Patients who have medical conditions like diabetes or kidney disease may need caution when taking the supplement of biotin.

Pregnancy / Lactation

Pregnancy consideration: Insufficient data available

Lactation: Excretion of the drug in human breast milk is unknown

Pregnancy category:

Category A: A well-controlled and satisfactory studies show no risk to the fetus in the first or later trimester.

Category B: there was no evidence of risk to the fetus in animal studies, and there were not enough studies on pregnant women.

Category C: there was evidence of risk of adverse effects in animal reproduction studies, and no adequate evidence in human studies must take care of potential risks in pregnant women.

Category D: adequate data with sufficient evidence of human fetal risk from various platforms, but despite the potential risk, and used only in emergency cases for potential benefits.

Category X: Drugs listed in this category outweigh the risks over benefits. Hence these categories of drugs need to be avoided by pregnant women.

Category N: There is no data available for the drug under this category

Pharmacology

Pharmacology:

Pharmacology of biotin includes the activity of biotin as a coenzyme for carboxylase enzymes.

Coenzyme activity: Biotin acts as a coenzyme when it binds to a specific carboxylase enzymes. It forms a stable complex with these enzymes. It carries activates CO₂ during carboxylation reactions. The carboxylases which need biotin as a coenzyme are acetyl-CoA carboxylase, pyruvate carboxylase, and propionyl-CoA carboxylase.

Carboxylation reactions: Biotin dependent carboxylases promote addition of a COOH group to specific substrates. It activates them and allow to involve in following metabolic pathways. Acetyl-CoA carboxylase converts acetyl-CoA to malonyl-CoA. It is a crucial step in the biosynthesis of fatty acid. Pyruvate carboxylase converts pyruvate to oxaloacetate. It is crucial for gluconeogenesis. Propionyl-CoA carboxylase converts propionyl-CoA to methyl malonyl-CoA. It metabolizes specific amino acids and odd chain fatty acids.

Energy production: Involvement of biotin is necessary to produce energy in the carboxylation reactions. Biotin enables the synthesis of molecules like fatty acids, glucose, and intermediates to produce energy in different metabolic pathways. By converting substrates into active forms.

Metabolism of macronutrients: Biotin metabolizes macronutrients like carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. Biotin helps to break down and use these nutrients o produce energy, cellular function and synthesis of essential molecules in coenzyme activity.

Gene expression: Biotin play a role in gene expression and regulation. To change the activity of specific transcription factors and modulate the expression of genes included in different physiological processes.

Pharmacodynamics:

The main function of biotin as a coenzyme is to produce energy, in different metabolic process, gene expression and cellular functions.

Pharmacokinetics:

Absorption

Biotin is absorbed in the small intestine by passive diffusion and active transport mechanism. It is present in different foods like egg yolk, liver, nuts, and vegetables. Absorption of biotin is efficient and bioavailability of biotin in diet is high.

Distribution

Biotin binds to plasma protein for transportation in the body after the absorption. Biotin is distributed to different tissues like kidney, liver, brain, and muscle. It takes part in different enzymatic reactions.

Metabolism

Biotin is a coenzyme for many carboxylase enzymes included in important metabolic pathways. It metabolizes mainly in the liver. It converts into active form biotinyl-5’-AMP. This needs the activation of carboxylase enzymes.

Elimination and Excretion

Biotin and its metabolites are excreted in the urine. It degraded into small and water-soluble compounds which are filtered by the kidney after biotin is utilizes in many metabolic reactions. It eliminates in the urine from the body.

Adminstartion

Administration:

Biotin can be administrated in many ways. It depends on the purpose and the formulation.

Oral supplementation: The most common way is by oral supplementation. Biotin is available in different forms like capsules, tablets, soft gels, and liquid formulations. These products can be over the counter in pharmacy, health food stores, and online.

Dietary intake: Biotin is present in many foods naturally. It is another way to take biotin. Biotin rick foods like egg yolks, organ meats like liver and kidney, nuts like walnuts, almonds, peanuts, seeds like sunflower seeds, flaxseeds, fish like salmon, tuna, dairy products and certain vegetables like sweet potatoes and spinach.

Intravenous (IV) administration: Oral supplement is not suitable in some medical conditions. Biotin can be administrated by IV. This is typically reversed for clinical practices. It needs healthcare providers to administer biotin solution directly into a vein.

Patient Information Leaflet

Generic Name: biotin

Why do we use biotin?

Biotin is also known as vitamin B7 or vitamin H. It has many essential function in the body. Some main uses of biotin are:

Hair, skin, and nail health: Biotin promotes healthy skin, hair, and nails. It plays an important role in the production of keratin. It is a protein which play a significant role in these structures. Biotin supplements is used to improve brittle nails, promote hair growth, and it enhance the appearance and health of the skin.

Metabolism and energy production: Biotin is a coenzyme for different carboxylase enzymes which are included in many metabolic pathways. These enzymes help to convert carbohydrates, fats, and proteins from diet to energy so the body can use it. Biotin is necessary to metabolize the glucose and fatty acids.

Blood sugar regulation: Biotin plays a role in the metabolism of glucose. It helps to control the blood sugar levels. It helps insulin to do the work. Patients who have diabetes or have any risk may get benefit from taking the supplements of biotin.

Pregnancy and foetal development: Biotin is necessary in the growth and development of the fetus in pregnancy. It is necessary for the growth of the organs of the fetus, specifically the nervous system. It plays a role in embryonic development.

Neurological health: Biotin synthesizes neurotransmitters which are necessary for proper functioning of the nervous system. As per the studies, taking the supplement of biotin help the people who have neurological disease like multiple sclerosis and peripheral neuropathy.