Sulbutiamine - NutraPedia

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Sulbutiamine Overview

1) Studied Conditions

Sulbutiamine has been studied for a variety of conditions, including:

Asthenia (chronic fatigue)
Alzheimer's disease and other cognitive impairments
Depression
Erectile dysfunction
Diabetic neuropathy

2) Efficacy in Treating Conditions

The effectiveness of sulbutiamine in treating these conditions varies:

Some studies have shown a potential benefit in reducing fatigue.
There is limited evidence suggesting potential cognitive enhancement effects.
Its role in managing depression and erectile dysfunction remains unclear, with more research needed.
For diabetic neuropathy, there is no strong evidence to support its use.

3) Health Benefits

Reported health benefits of sulbutiamine include:

Increased energy levels and reduced fatigue
Potential improvement in memory and cognitive function
Mood enhancement

4) Downsides

While sulbutiamine is generally well-tolerated, it does have some potential downsides:

Some individuals may experience side effects such as insomnia, irritability, and mood swings.
There is a potential for developing tolerance with regular use, leading to diminished effects.
Long-term safety and side effect profile have not been thoroughly studied.

5) Genetic Variations

As of the current knowledge cutoff, there is no well-established evidence that sulbutiamine's effects are significantly influenced by specific genetic variations. However, individual responses to the compound can vary due to genetic differences in metabolism and neurotransmitter regulation. More research would be needed to determine any particular genetic predispositions that could affect its efficacy or safety.

Research Summaries on Sulbutiamine

Neuroprotective Effects in the Hippocampus

Research on activating strychnine-sensitive glycine receptors in the hippocampus shows that glycine and taurine can aid recovery of synaptic function after oxygen and glucose deprivation, but inhibiting GlyT1 does not provide significant neuroprotection. Sulbutiamine, however, significantly improves survival and function of hippocampal neurons in an in vitro ischemia model, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic agent for ischemic brain injury.

Protective Effects on Retinal Ganglion Cells

Sulbutiamine has been found to significantly reduce cell death in retinal ganglion cells caused by lack of trophic factors, in a dose-dependent manner. It increases GSH and GST activity and decreases expression of apoptosis-involved proteins.

Treatment of Psychogenic Erectile Dysfunction

A study on the drug enerion, which contains sulbutiamine, shows that it effectively improves erectile function and could be beneficial for treating psychogenic erectile dysfunction.

Impact on Brain Chemistry of Rats

Chronic administration of sulbutiamine to rats leads to a reduction in kainate receptor binding sites and an increase in D1 dopamine receptors without altering NMDA or AMPA receptors. Acute treatment decreases kainate receptor binding sites and dopamine levels, indicating a modulatory effect on glutamate and dopamine neurotransmission.

Effects on Brain Activity and Sleep Patterns in Monkeys

Administration of Sulbutiamin to adult rhesus monkeys enhances wakefulness, increases fast rhythms in EEG during wakefulness and slow sleep, and reorganizes slow sleep, with effects reversing 2-5 days after stopping treatment.

Thiamine Triphosphate Increase in Rat Tissues

Injecting sulbutiamine increases thiamine triphosphate levels in rat tissues, suggesting an impact on thiamine metabolism and cellular energy processes.

Memory Performance in Rats

Sulbutiamine improves memory in object recognition tasks and protects against memory deficits caused by dizocilpine, indicating positive effects on working and episodic memory.

Thiamine Levels in Chronic Open-Angle Glaucoma Patients

Patients with chronic open-angle glaucoma have significantly lower levels of thiamine compared to controls, suggesting poor thiamine absorption.

Chronic Postinfectious Fatigue Treatment

Sulbutiamine shows no significant difference in fatigue levels for chronic postinfectious fatigue patients at the end of a 28-day study, though a short-term benefit was observed in women.

Case of Sulbutiamine Addiction in Bipolar Disorder

A case study highlights the potential misuse of over-the-counter medications like sulbutiamine, emphasizing the need for physician awareness of their impact on treatment outcomes.

Effectiveness in Asthenic Symptoms

Sulbutiamine may be beneficial in managing asthenia associated with infectious diseases, with a study observing significant improvement in well-being and resolution of asthenic symptoms in over half of the patients.

Memory Function Enhancement in Mice

Long-term administration of sulbutiamine in mice improves long-term memory formation and enhances cholinergic activity in the hippocampus, suggesting potential benefits for memory issues.

Diabetic Polyneuropathy Treatment

Treatment with sulbutiamine shows significant improvements in electrophysiological parameters of diabetic polyneuropathy patients, but no improvement in symptom scores within the 6-week study duration.

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