Thiamine, known as
vitamin B(1), plays an essential role in energy metabolism.
Benfotiamine (S-benzoylthiamine O-monophoshate) is a synthetic S-acyl derivative of
thiamine. Once absorbed,
benfotiamine is dephosphorylated by ecto-
alkaline phosphatase to
lipid-soluble S-benzoylthiamine.
Transketolase is an
enzyme that directs the precursors of
advanced glycation end products (AGEs) to pentose phosphate pathway.
Benfotiamine administration increases the levels of intracellular
thiamine diphosphate, a cofactor necessary for the activation
transketolase, resulting in the reduction of tissue level of AGEs. The elevated level of AGEs has been implicated in the induction and progression of diabetes-associated complications. Chronic
hyperglycemia accelerates the reaction between
glucose and
proteins leading to the formation of AGEs, which form irreversible cross-links with many macromolecules such as
collagen. In diabetes, AGEs accumulate in tissues at an accelerated rate. Experimental studies have elucidated that binding of AGEs to their specific receptors (RAGE) activates mainly monocytes and endothelial cells and consequently induces various inflammatory events. Moreover, AGEs exaggerate the status of oxidative stress in diabetes that may additionally contribute to functional changes in vascular tone control observed in diabetes. The anti-AGE property of
benfotiamine certainly makes it effective for the treatment of
diabetic neuropathy, nephropathy and retinopathy. Interestingly, few recent studies demonstrated additional non-AGE-dependent pharmacological actions of
benfotiamine. The present review critically analyzed the multifaceted therapeutic potential of
benfotiamine.