PABA: general information
PABA stands for para-aminobenzoic acid.
PABA is one of the vitamin-like factors; it is also commonly known as vitamin B10, due to its importance in the synthesis of folic acid (vitamin Bc or B9).
To be precise, just like for pantothenic acid, the integration of PABA on laboratory guinea pigs has a remarkable anti-gray effect, ie it is able to oppose the loss of pigment pigment; unfortunately, clinical tests have shown that the same effects cannot be achieved by contrasting human hair.
PABA intervenes by promoting the synthesis of melanin starting from hydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA), therefore it can be used in the prevention of sunburn and in alleviating the pain caused by these; in fact, para-aminobenzoic acid is a fundamental ingredient of sun-protection creams.
It seems that PABA also increases the concentration of oxygen in arterial blood.
Undesirable effects of PABA
Among the various positive characteristics, PABA also has some negative implications.
Para-aminobenzoic acid is an antagonist of sulfonamides, a category of antibiotic drugs now obsolete but which continue to be used in the treatment of nocardiosis (granulomatous infections from Nocardia - saprophytic soil bacterium). This results in the incompatibility of intake between PABA and sulfa drugs.
Secondly, although not defined as toxic, when given in large doses, PABA can trigger side effects such as nausea and vomiting.
As evidence the next paragraph, one of the negative aspects of PABA is also represented by its excessive chemical-physical "delicacy".
Food and antinutritional sources for PABA
Food sources of PABA are: cabbage, potatoes, peanuts, wheat germ, green vegetables, lettuce, tomatoes and mushrooms; but above all: whole grains, brewer's yeast, liver, kidneys and molasses. Its dietary intake is also increased by the fermentative production of the physiological intestinal bacterial microflora.
NB . PABA is destroyed if mixed with water, if cooked and when combined with ethyl alcohol.
PABA requirements
The need for PABA is estimated at 20 to 30 mg / day and the deficiency can determine: vitiligo, canizie, scleroderma, asthma, pruritus, psoriasis, acute articular rheumatism and rikettisiosis.
NB . PABA deficiency can be compensated for by supplementing brewer's yeast.
PABA as a clinical marker - PABAtest
The detection of PABA in the body is an important oral and direct diagnostic technique of exocrine pancreatic function. PABAtest measures the enzymatic activity of chymotrypsin on a synthetic substrate administered orally (N-benzoyl-1-tyrosil) bound to PABA. The chymotrypsin breaks down the substrate releasing PABA which, after being absorbed at the level of the intestinal mucosa and conjugated in the liver cells, is filtered by the kidneys and excreted in the urine.
In practice, the amount of PABA and / or its metabolites in the urine measures the presence of the chymotrypsin secreted by the pancreas and poured back into the intestine.
Bibliography:
- Natural medicine. Nutrition lessons - M. Liparti - New Techniques - pag. 73-74
- Study methods of gastric and pancreatic secretion - F. Di Mario, G. Del Favero - chapter by A. Malesci, A. Mariani - Piccin - pag. 171: 174
- C erates and legumes in the diet for health - A. Formenti, C. Mazzi - New Techniques - pag. 75-76.
