1.
Structure
Pyritinol is a semi-water soluble compound that is constructionally similar to Vitamin B6. Essentially, it is two pyridoxine(B6) molecules mirroring each other, in which they are bond not by their phosphorus side chains but instead a disulfide bridge.[1] It is commonly sold as pyritinol hydrochloride, or pyrithioxine hydrochloride.
2.
Neurology
It is implicated in recovery and repair of damaged cholinergic neurons[2] and may increase acetylcholine levels[3] and uptake[1] through lipid soluble metabolites.[4] It also increases glucose utilization and cGMP levels in the brain, although more clinically significant in aged subjects.[1]
In vivo, it has been used with some success in treatment of Tourette's[5] dementia[6][7] and general cognitive decline.[8][9][10]
It has been noted that these studies have their validity questioned due to small sample sizes.[11] Most literature has also been published in the 1980s and has not been replicated to a large degree.
3.
Pyritinol, Inflammation, and the Immune System
4.
Effects on alcohol metabolism and hangovers
5.
Safety and Toxicity
Pyritinol has been linked to, and causality established, case study of acute pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), the subject took 600mg daily for 3 months leading up to the initial inflammatory reaction, and then subsequent reactions were induced with minimal dosing.[16][17] It has been linked to causing acute hepatitis (inflammation of the liver) as well in over 5 case studies averaging 400-600mg daily and experiencing jaundice and hepatitis within 2 weeks of starting usage.[18][19] The mechanism of action for pyritinol's hepatotoxicity appears to be due to individual physiology (not applicable to everybody) and cholestatic in nature.[18]
It has historically been linked to drug-induced pemphigus[20] and occupational-contact dermatitis[21] and other topical outbursts have been noted.[22][23][24] A single case of auto-immune hypoglycemia has also been recorded.[25][26]
Most of these side effects are due to pyritinol belonging to a class of sulfhydryl compounds.[27]
Given its usage in Europe for over twenty years[18][16] for medicinal treatment, it is unlikely that these effects manifest themselves in the majority of persons; equally likely is underreporting in the past of pyritinol-induced hepatitis.[18]
References
- ^Greiner HE, Haase AF, Seyfried CANeurochemical studies on the mechanism of action of pyritinolPharmacopsychiatry.(1988 Aug)
- ^Toledano A, Bentura MLPyritinol facilitates the recovery of cortical cholinergic deficits caused by nucleus basalis lesionsJ Neural Transm Park Dis Dement Sect.(1994)
- ^Martin KJ, Vyas SIncrease in acetylcholine concentrations in the brain of 'old' rats following treatment with pyrithioxin (Encephabol)Br J Pharmacol.(1987 Mar)
- ^Martin KJ, Tucker L, Widdowson LEffects of some metabolites of pyritinol (Encephabol) on ACH release from brain slicesPharmacopsychiatry.(1988 Aug)
- ^Zykov VP, Begasheva OICognitive disturbances in patients with tics and Tourette's syndrome and their correction with encephabolZh Nevrol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova.(2003)
- ^Fischhof PK, Saletu B, Rüther E, Litschauer G, Möslinger-Gehmayr R, Herrmann WMTherapeutic efficacy of pyritinol in patients with senile dementia of the Alzheimer type (SDAT) and multi-infarct dementia (MID)Neuropsychobiology.(1992)
- ^Cooper AJ, Magnus RVA placebo-controlled study of pyritinol ('Encephabol') in dementiaPharmatherapeutica.(1980)
- ^Herrmann WM, Kern U, Röhmel JOn the effects of pyritinol on functional deficits of patients with organic mental disordersPharmacopsychiatry.(1986 Sep)
- ^Slánská JControlled study of the effect of pyritinol in geronto-patientsAct Nerv Super (Praha).(1990 Mar)
- ^Gonçalves NPyritinol in the ambulatory geriatric patient. A placebo controled combined studyMed Welt.(1979 Mar 30)
- ^Gilbert DTreatment of children and adolescents with tics and Tourette syndromeJ Child Neurol.(2006 Aug)
- ^Elferink JG, de Koster BMDifferential stimulation of neutrophil functions by pyrithioxineInt J Immunopharmacol.(1993 Jul)
- ^Lemmel EMComparison of pyritinol and auranofin in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. The European Multicentre Study GroupBr J Rheumatol.(1993 May)
- ^Khan MA, Jensen K, Krogh HJAlcohol-induced hangover. A double-blind comparison of pyritinol and placebo in preventing hangover symptomsQ J Stud Alcohol.(1973 Dec)
- ^Pittler MH, Verster JC, Ernst EInterventions for preventing or treating alcohol hangover: systematic review of randomised controlled trialsBMJ.(2005 Dec 24)
- ^Straumann A, Bauer M, Pichler WJ, Pirovino MAcute pancreatitis due to pyritinol: an immune-mediated phenomenonGastroenterology.(1998 Aug)
- ^Badalov N, Baradarian R, Iswara K, Li J, Steinberg W, Tenner SDrug-induced acute pancreatitis: an evidence-based reviewClin Gastroenterol Hepatol.(2007 Jun)
- ^Maria V, Albuquerque A, Loureiro A, Sousa A, Victorino RSevere cholestatic hepatitis induced by pyritinolBMJ.(2004 Mar 6)
- ^Macedo G, Sarmento JA, Allegro SAcute hepatitis due to pyritinolGastroenterol Clin Biol.(1992)
- ^Civatte JDrug-induced pemphigus diseasesDermatol Monatsschr.(1989)
- ^Wigger-Alberti W, Elsner POccupational contact dermatitis due to pyritinolContact Dermatitis.(1997 Aug)
- ^Nachbar F, Korting HC, Vogl TErythema multiforme-like eruption in association with severe headache following pyritinolDermatology.(1993)
- ^Murata Y, Kumano K, Ueda T, Araki N, Nakamura T, Tani MPhotosensitive dermatitis caused by pyridoxine hydrochlorideJ Am Acad Dermatol.(1998 Aug)
- ^Tanaka M, Niizeki H, Shimizu S, Miyakawa SPhotoallergic drug eruption due to pyridoxine hydrochlorideJ Dermatol.(1996 Oct)
- ^Faguer de Moustier B, Burgard M, Boitard C, Desplanque N, Fanjoux J, Tchobroutsky GAuto-immune hypoglycemic syndrome induced by pyritinolDiabete Metab.(1988 Jul-Aug)
- ^Archambeaud-Mouveroux F, Canivet B, Fressinaud C, de Buhan B, Treves R, Laubie BAutoimmune hypoglycemia: the fault of pyritinol?Presse Med.(1988 Oct 8)
- ^Jaffe IAAdverse effects profile of sulfhydryl compounds in manAm J Med.(1986 Mar)