Research
The scientific literature
A curated reference library on benfotiamine, vitamin B1, and the research areas where they have been studied.
Reference library
External literature on benfotiamine, vitamin B1, and related research.
Peer-reviewed studies, reviews, and clinical trials referenced across this site. Each citation links to the source where available.
Benfotiamine and Polyneuropathy
Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes · 2008 · 116(10):600-5
Stracke H, Gaus W, Achenbach U, Federlin K, Bretzel RG
A double blind, placebo-controlled, phase-III study of 165 patients with symmetrical, distal diabetic polyneuropathy. After 6 weeks, the NSS (Neuropathy Symptom Score) differed significantly between benfotiamine (600mg/day or 300mg/day) and placebo groups (p=0.033 in PP population). Treatment was well tolerated; improvement most pronounced at higher doses.
View sourcePMID: 18473286
Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther · 2005 · 43(2):71-7
Haupt E, Ledermann H, Köpcke W
40 inpatients with diabetes and polyneuropathy received either 400mg benfotiamine daily or placebo for 3 weeks. Statistically significant improvement (p=0.0287) in neuropathy score in active group. Most pronounced effect on pain (p=0.0414).
View sourcePMID: 15726875
Arzneimittelforschung · 1999 · 49(3):220-4
Winkler G, Pál B, Nagybéganyi E, Ory I, Porochnavec M, Kempler P
36 patients in three groups; greatest improvement seen in high-dose group (320mg/day benfotiamine).
Alcohol Alcohol · 1998 · 33(6):631-8
Woelk H, Lehrl S, Bitsch R, Köpcke W
Three-armed RCT in 84 outpatients with severe alcoholic polyneuropathy. Benfotiamine produced significant improvement in vibration perception, motor function, and overall score. No therapy-specific adverse effects.
View sourcePMID: 9872352
Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes · 1996 · 104(4):311-6
A benfotiamine-vitamin B combination in treatment of diabetic polyneuropathy
Stracke H, Lindemann A, Federlin K
12-week double-blind RCT in 24 diabetic patients. Significant improvement (p=0.006) of nerve conduction velocity in peroneal nerve.
Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther · 1996 · 34(2):47-50
Pharmacokinetics of thiamine derivatives, especially benfotiamine
Loew D
Pharmacokinetic comparison showing benfotiamine reaches plasma and tissue thiamine concentrations several-fold higher than equivalent oral thiamine doses, owing to passive diffusion across the gut wall.
Benfotiamine, Thiamine and Diabetic Complications
Int J Clin Pract · 2011 · 65(6):684-90
Page GL, Laight D, Cummings MH
Pharmacol Res · 2010 · 61(6):482-8
The multifaceted therapeutic potential of benfotiamine
Balakumar P, Rohilla A, Krishan P, Solairaj P, Thangathirupathi A
Comprehensive review of benfotiamine's anti-AGE properties and research into diabetic neuropathy, nephropathy, and retinopathy.
Diabetologia · 2007 · 50(10):2164-70
Thornalley PJ, Babaei-Jadidi R, Al Ali H
Plasma thiamine concentration was decreased 76% in type 1 and 75% in type 2 diabetic patients. Renal clearance of thiamine increased 24-fold (type 1) and 16-fold (type 2).
Diabetes · 2005 · 54(6):1615-25
The pathobiology of diabetic complications: a unifying mechanism
Brownlee M
Curr Diabetes Rev · 2005 · 1(3):287-98
The potential role of thiamine (vitamin B1) in diabetic complications
Thornalley PJ
Argues for thiamine therapy in preventing diabetic complications via the reductive pentose phosphate pathway.
Nat Med · 2003 · 9(3):294-9
Hammes HP, Du X, Edelstein D, Taguchi T, Matsumura T, Ju Q, Lin J, Bierhaus A, Nawroth P, Hannak D, Neumaier M, Bergfeld R, Giardino I, Brownlee M
Mechanistic study showing benfotiamine activates transketolase, redirecting metabolites away from the polyol, hexosamine, and AGE pathways that drive hyperglycemic tissue damage.
View sourcePMID: 12592403
Metformin and Vitamin B1 and B12 Deficiency
Mol Pharm · 2015 · 12(12):4301-10
Metformin is a substrate and inhibitor of the human thiamine transporter, THTR-2 (SLC19A3)
Liang X
Demonstrates metformin transports via and inhibits thiamine transporter THTR-2 in the small intestine. Implications for thiamine deficiency in metformin-treated diabetics.
BMJ · 2010 · 340:c2181
de Jager J
Metformin treatment associated with -19% decrease in vitamin B-12 concentration; long-term metformin use increases risk of B-12 deficiency.
Benfotiamine, Thiamine and Alzheimer's Disease
Mol Cell Neurosci · 2013 · 55:17-25
Abnormal thiamine-dependent processes in Alzheimer's Disease. Lessons from diabetes
Gibson GE, Hirsch JA, Cirio RT, Jordan BD, Fonzetti P, Elder J
Brain · 2010 · 133(Pt 5):1342-51
Pan X, Gong N, Zhao J, Yu Z, Gu F, Chen J, Sun X, Zhao L, Yu M, Xu Z, Dong W, Qin Y, Fei G, Zhong C, Xu TL
Mouse Alzheimer's model: benfotiamine dose-dependently enhanced spatial memory and reduced amyloid plaque and phospho-tau. Foundational preclinical evidence for benfotiamine's CNS effects.
Metab Brain Dis · 1996 · 11(1)
Alterations of thiamine phosphorylation and of thiamine-dependent enzymes in Alzheimer's disease
Heroux M
Significantly reduced activities of thiamine phosphate dephosphorylating enzymes and thiamine-dependent enzymes in AD brain tissue.
Thiamine Deficiency
J Lab Clin Med · 1999 · 134(3):238-43
Urinary loss of thiamine is increased by low doses of furosemide in healthy volunteers
Rieck J, Halkin H, Almog S
Am J Clin Nutr · 1980 · 33(12):2750-61
Mechanisms of thiamin deficiency in chronic alcoholism
Hoyumpa AM Jr
Reviews ethanol inhibition of intestinal thiamine transport via reduced Na-K ATPase activity.
Arch Neurol · 1976 · 33(12):836-41
Axonal degeneration in beriberi neuropathy
Takahashi K, Nakamura H
Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Polyneuropathy
Nat Rev Neurol · 2014 · 10:326-336
Mitotoxicity in distal symmetrical sensory peripheral neuropathies
Bennett GJ, Doyle T, Salvemini D
Reviews how mitochondrial injury from chemotherapy, HIV proteins, and hyperglycemia leads to chronic neuronal energy deficit and distal axonal degeneration.
Dev Med Child Neurol · 2012 · 54(5):407-14
Peripheral neuropathy associated with mitochondrial disease in children
Menezes MP, Ouvrier RA
Ann Neurol · 2011 · 69(1):100-10
Lehmann HC, Chen W, Borzan J, Mankowski JL, Höke A
Neuroscientist · 2008 · 14(1):12-8
Mitochondrial dynamics and peripheral neuropathy
Baloh RH
Pain · 2006 · 122(3):245-57
Flatters SJ, Bennett GJ
Paclitaxel produces atypical (swollen and vacuolated) mitochondria in both C-fibres and myelinated axons in painful peripheral neuropathy.
J Peripher Nerv Syst · 2003 · 8(4):227-35
Mechanism of mitochondrial dysfunction in diabetic sensory neuropathy
Fernyhough P, Huang TJ, Verkhratsky A
Insulin and NT-3 modulate mitochondrial membrane potential in adult sensory neurons via PI 3 kinase pathway.
Peripheral Neuropathy in Older Patients
J Am Board Fam Pract · 2004 · 17(5):309-18
The prevalence, predictors, and consequences of peripheral sensory neuropathy in older patients
Mold JW, Vesely SK, Keyl BA, Schenk JB, Roberts M
Prevalence of bilateral sensory deficits rose from 26% (65-74 yrs) to 54% (85+). Only 40% of cases had a known cause.
Cobalamin
J Clin Oncol · 2017 · 35(30):3440-3448
Brasky TM, White E, Chen CL
High-dose B6 and B12 supplementation linked to almost 2-fold increase in lung cancer risk in men, especially smokers.
QJM · 2009 · 102(1):17-28
An update on cobalamin deficiency in adults
Dali-Youcef N, Andrès E
Blood Rev · 2007 · 21(3):113-30
Solomon LR
Polyneuropathy and Prediabetes
Diabetes Care · 2015 · 38:793-800
Lee CC, Perkins BA
Prevalence of peripheral neuropathy: 29% in normal glycemia, 49% in prediabetes, 50% in new-onset diabetes (p<0.001 for trend). Prediabetes was associated with similar risks of peripheral neuropathy and severity of nerve dysfunction as new-onset diabetes.