Pantothenic acid
Pantothenic acid is another of the vitamin B complex group first recognized as a growth factor in yeast in 1933. After the complete synthesis ofpantothenic acid was accomplished in 1940, it was found to be essential for rats, dogs, pigs, pigeons, and chicks. A deficiency has been reported to cause emaciation, loss of hair, graying of hair in dark animals, ulcers of the intestinal tract, and damage to several internal organs. Spontaneous deficiency of pantothenic acid in humans has not been reported. However, it was suspected of being one of the multiple deficiencies in the prisoners of World War II held in the Far East. They experienced a burning sensation on the soles of the feet-known as the buming-feet syndrome-which improved after pantothenic acid treatment in some but required other B-vitamins for complete reversal in others.
