Biotin deficiency explained
Biotin deficiency is a nutritional disorder which can become serious, even fatal, if allowed to progress untreated. It can occur in people of any age, ancestry, or of either sex. Biotin is part of the B vitamin family. Biotin deficiency rarely occurs among healthy people because the daily requirement of biotin is low, many foods provide adequate amounts of it, intestinal bacteria synthesize small amounts of it, and the body effectively scavenges and recycles it in the kidneys during production of urine.
Genetic disorders such as multiple carboxylase deficiency (MCD) (which includes biotinidase deficiency and holocarboxylase synthetase deficiency)[1] can also lead to inborn or late-onset forms of biotin deficiency. In all cases – dietary, genetic, or otherwise – supplementation with biotin is the primary (and usually only)[2] method of treatment.[3] The prognosis for congenital MCD is good if biotin supplementation is begun quickly after birth and carried on throughout the patients life.[4]
The average dietary intake of biotin ranges between 35 and 70 micrograms/day in the western population.
Signs and symptoms
Physical
- Rashes including red, patchy ones near openings[5] (e.g. erythematous periorofacial macular rash)[6]
- Hair loss (alopecia)[7]
- Conjunctivitis
- Brittle nails
- Generalized muscular pains (myalgia)[8]
- Paresthesias (pins and needles)[9] and numbness in the extemities
Psychological
Causes
- Total parenteral nutrition without biotin supplementation: Several cases[12] of biotin deficiency in patients receiving prolonged total parenteral nutrition (TPN) therapy without added biotin have been reported. Therefore, all patients receiving TPN must also receive biotin at the recommended daily dose, especially if TPN therapy is expected to last more than 1 week. All hospital pharmacies currently include biotin in TPN preparations.
- Protein deficiency (not certain): A shortage of proteins involved in biotin homeostasis can cause biotin deficiency. The main problems involved in biotin homeostasis are HCS, BTD (biotinidase deficiency) and SMVT[13]
- Anticonvulsant therapy: Prolonged use of certain drugs (especially highly common prescription anti-seizure medications such as phenytoin, primidone, and carbamazepine), may lead to biotin deficiency; however, valproic acid therapy is less likely to cause this condition.[14] Some anticonvulsants (antiepileptic drugs) inhibit biotin transport across the intestinal mucosa. Evidence suggests that these anticonvulsants accelerate biotin catabolism, which means that it's necessary for people to take supplemental biotin, in addition to the usual minimum daily requirements, if they're treated with anticonvulsant medication(s) that have been linked to biotin deficiency.
- Severe malnourishment[15]
- Prolonged oral antibiotic therapy: Prolonged use of oral antibiotics has been associated with biotin deficiency. Alterations in the intestinal flora caused by the prolonged administration of antibiotics are presumed to be the basis for biotin deficiency.[16]
- Genetic mutation: Mikati et al. (2006) reported a case of partial biotinidase deficiency (plasma biotinidase level of 1.3 nm/min/mL) in a 7-month-old boy. The boy presented with perinatal distress followed by developmental delay, hypotonia, seizures, and infantile spasms without alopecia or dermatitis. The child's neurologic symptoms abated following biotin supplementation and antiepileptic drug therapy. DNA mutational analysis revealed that the child was homozygous for a novel E64K mutation and that his mother and father were heterozygous for the novel E64K mutation.[17]
Potential causes
- Smoking: Recent studies suggest that smoking can lead to marginal biotin deficiency because it speeds up biotin catabolism (especially in women).[18]
- Excessive alcohol consumption[19] (causes a significant reduction in plasma biotin levels)
- Excessive consumption of antidiuretics or inadequate levels of antidiuretic hormone[20]
- Intestinal malabsorption caused by short bowel syndrome[21]
Biochemistry
Biotin is a coenzyme for five carboxylases in the human body (propionyl-CoA carboxylase, methylcrotonyl-CoA carboxylase, pyruvate carboxylase, and 2 forms of acetyl-CoA carboxylase.) Therefore, biotin is essential for amino acid catabolism, gluconeogenesis, and fatty acid metabolism. Biotin is also necessary for gene stability because it is covalently attached to histones. Biotinylated histones play a role in repression of transposable elements and some genes. Normally, the amount of biotin in the body is regulated by dietary intake, biotin transporters (monocarboxylate transporter 1 and sodium-dependent multivitamin transporter), peptidyl hydrolase biotinidase (BTD), and the protein ligase holocarboxylase synthetase. When any of these regulatory factors are inhibited, biotin deficiency could occur.[22]
Diagnosis
The only reliable method for determining biotin deficiency is the abundance of biotinylated 3-methylcrotonyl-CoA carboxylase and propionyl-CoA carboxylase in lymphocytes. The level of biotin in urine can be used to identify biotin-supplemented individuals, and the level of 3-hydroxyisovaleric acid in urine can (unreliably) detect biotin-deficient patients.[23]
Treatment
In the United States, biotin supplements are readily available without a prescription[24] in amounts ranging from 300 to 10,000 micrograms.[25] 30 micrograms daily is identified as Adequate Intake for men and women 19 years and older. 35 micrograms daily is required for lactating women.[26]
Most healthy individuals meet these recommended intakes, however many still take up to 500 to 1,000 micrograms of biotin daily.[27]
Epidemiology
Deficiency is rare in locations where egg-white enriched or ketogenic diets are common. Pregnancy, however, alters biomarkers of biotin[28] and despite a regular biotin intake, approximately half of the pregnant women in the U.S. are marginally biotin deficient.[13]
See also
Possible references
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- Boas MA . The Effect of Desiccation upon the Nutritive Properties of Egg-white . Biochem. J. . 21 . 3 . 712–724.1 . 1927 . 16743887 . 1251968 . 10.1042/bj0210712.
- Dobrowolski SF, Angeletti J, Banas RA, Naylor EW . Real time PCR assays to detect common mutations in the biotinidase gene and application of mutational analysis to newborn screening for biotinidase deficiency . Mol. Genet. Metab. . 78 . 2 . 100–7 . February 2003 . 12618081 . 10.1016/S1096-7192(02)00231-7.
- Forbes GM, Forbes A . Micronutrient status in patients receiving home parenteral nutrition . Nutrition . 13 . 11–12 . 941–4 . 1997 . 9433708 . 10.1016/S0899-9007(97)00334-1.
- Genc GA, Sivri-Kalkanoğlu HS, Dursun A, Aydin HI, Tokatli A, Sennaroglu L, Belgin E, Wolf B, Coşkun T . Audiologic findings in children with biotinidase deficiency in Turkey . Int. J. Pediatr. Otorhinolaryngol. . 71 . 2 . 333–9 . February 2007 . 17161472 . 10.1016/j.ijporl.2006.11.001 .
- González EC, Marrero N, Frómeta A, Herrera D, Castells E, Pérez PL . Qualitative colorimetric ultramicroassay for the detection of biotinidase deficiency in newborns . Clin. Chim. Acta . 369 . 1 . 35–9 . July 2006 . 16480705 . 10.1016/j.cca.2006.01.009 .
- Hassan YI, Zempleni J . Epigenetic regulation of chromatin structure and gene function by biotin . J. Nutr. . 136 . 7 . 1763–5 . July 2006 . 16772434 . 1479604 . 10.1093/jn/136.7.1763.
- Higuchi R, Mizukoshi M, Koyama H, Kitano N, Koike M . Intractable diaper dermatitis as an early sign of biotin deficiency . Acta Paediatr. . 87 . 2 . 228–9 . February 1998 . 9512215 . 10.1080/08035259850157732.
- László A, Schuler EA, Sallay E, Endreffy E, Somogyi C, Várkonyi A, Havass Z, Jansen KP, Wolf B . Neonatal screening for biotinidase deficiency in Hungary: clinical, biochemical and molecular studies . J. Inherit. Metab. Dis. . 26 . 7 . 693–8 . 2003 . 14707518 . 10.1023/B:BOLI.0000005622.89660.59. 12601233 .
- Mock DM . Biotin status: which are valid indicators and how do we know? . J. Nutr. . 129 . 2S Suppl . 498S–503S . February 1999 . 10064317 . 10.1093/jn/129.2.498S. free .
- Mock DM . Skin manifestations of biotin deficiency . Semin Dermatol . 10 . 4 . 296–302 . December 1991 . 1764357 .
- Möslinger D, Mühl A, Suormala T, Baumgartner R, Stöckler-Ipsiroglu S . Molecular characterisation and neuropsychological outcome of 21 patients with profound biotinidase deficiency detected by newborn screening and family studies . Eur. J. Pediatr. . Suppl 1 . S46–9 . 162 . December 2003 . 14628140 . 10.1007/s00431-003-1351-3 . 6490712 .
- Neto EC, Schulte J, Rubim R, Lewis E, DeMari J, Castilhos C, Brites A, Giugliani R, Jensen KP, Wolf B . Newborn screening for biotinidase deficiency in Brazil: biochemical and molecular characterizations . Braz. J. Med. Biol. Res. . 37 . 3 . 295–9 . March 2004 . 15060693 . 10.1590/S0100-879X2004000300001. free . 10183/21194 . free .
- Schulpis KH, Gavrili S, Tjamouranis J, Karikas GA, Kapiki A, Costalos C . The effect of neonatal jaundice on biotinidase activity . Early Hum. Dev. . 72 . 1 . 15–24 . May 2003 . 12706308 . 10.1016/S0378-3782(02)00097-X.
- Book: Thompson, J . Manore M . Sheeshka J . Bennett G, Swieg C . Nutrition: A functional Approach . Pearson Canada . Toronto . 2010 . 353 . 9780321740212 . Nutrients involved in energy metabolism and blood health . etal.
- Velázquez A . Biotin deficiency in protein-energy malnutrition: implications for nutritional homeostasis and individuality . Nutrition . 13 . 11–12 . 991–2 . 1997 . 9433719 . 10.1016/S0899-9007(97)00345-6.
- Weber P, Scholl S, Baumgartner ER . Outcome in patients with profound biotinidase deficiency: relevance of newborn screening . Dev Med Child Neurol . 46 . 7 . 481–4 . July 2004 . 15230462 . 10.1111/j.1469-8749.2004.tb00509.x. free .
- Welling DB . Long-term follow-up of hearing loss in biotinidase deficiency . J. Child Neurol. . 22 . 8 . 1055 . August 2007 . 17761663 . 10.1177/0883073807305789 . 39911504 .
- Wiznitzer M, Bangert BA . Biotinidase deficiency: clinical and MRI findings consistent with myelopathy . Pediatr. Neurol. . 29 . 1 . 56–8 . July 2003 . 13679123 . 10.1016/S0887-8994(03)00042-0.
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External links
Notes and References
- Chinese Medical Association . Division of Biochemistry and Metabolism . Chinese Association for Maternal and Child Health . Division of Genetics and Metabolism . Rare Diseases Committee of Beijing Medical Association . Division of Genetics and Metabolism . 2022-02-25 . Expert consensus on screening, diagnosis and treatment of multiple carboxylase deficiency . Zhejiang da Xue Xue Bao. Yi Xue Ban = Journal of Zhejiang University. Medical Sciences . 51 . 1 . 129–135 . 10.3724/zdxbyxb-2022-0164 . 1008-9292 . 9109762 . 35576117.
- Web site: 2023-06-19 . Multiple Carboxylase Deficiency . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230619005406/https://www.dshs.texas.gov/sites/default/files/newborn/pdf/FactMCD.pdf . 2023-06-19 . 2023-06-19 . Texas Department of State Health Services.
- Web site: Biotinidase Deficiency - Symptoms, Causes, Treatment NORD . 2023-06-19 . rarediseases.org . en-US.
- Baumgartner . E. R. . Suormala . T. . 1997 . Multiple carboxylase deficiency: inherited and acquired disorders of biotin metabolism . International Journal for Vitamin and Nutrition Research . 67 . 5 . 377–384 . 0300-9831 . 9350481.
- Web site: Office of Dietary Supplements - Biotin . 2023-06-19 . ods.od.nih.gov . en.
- Rajendiran . Ashwin . Sampath . Sowmya . 2011-09-30 . Biotinidase deficiency – clinching the diagnosis rapidly can make all the difference! . BMJ Case Reports . 2011 . bcr0720114494 . 10.1136/bcr.07.2011.4494 . 1757-790X . 3185397 . 22679321.
- Trüeb . Ralph M . 2016 . Serum Biotin Levels in Women Complaining of Hair Loss . International Journal of Trichology . 8 . 2 . 73–77 . 10.4103/0974-7753.188040 . 0974-7753 . 4989391 . 27601860 . free .
- Web site: LLC . HealthMatters io . Biotin Healthmatters.io . 2023-06-19 . healthmatters.io . en.
- Web site: 2017-10-18 . Biotin (vitamin B7) for hair growth: Uses, sources, health benefits . 2023-06-19 . www.medicalnewstoday.com . en.
- Web site: 2014-04-22 . Biotin . 2023-06-19 . Linus Pauling Institute . en.
- Abed . Ali-Reza . Abed . Alireza . Banafshe . Hamid Reza . Malekabad . Ebadallah Shiri . Gorgani-firuzjaee . Sattar . Dadashi . Ali-Reza . 2021-05-12 . Effect of biotin supplementation on neuropathic pain induced by chronic constriction of the sciatic nerve in the rat . Research in Pharmaceutical Sciences . 16 . 3 . 250–259 . 10.4103/1735-5362.314823 . 1735-5362 . 8216157 . 34221058 . free .
- Innis . S. M. . Allardyce . D. B. . February 1983 . Possible biotin deficiency in adults receiving long-term total parenteral nutrition . The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition . 37 . 2 . 185–187 . 10.1093/ajcn/37.2.185 . 0002-9165 . 6401910.
- Zempleni . Janos . Hassan . Yousef I . Wijeratne . Subhashinee SK . 2008-11-01 . Biotin and biotinidase deficiency . Expert Review of Endocrinology & Metabolism . 3 . 6 . 715–724 . 10.1586/17446651.3.6.715 . 1744-6651 . 2726758 . 19727438.
- Krause et al. 1982, p. 485.
- Velázquez . A. . Martín-del-Campo . C. . Báez . A. . Zamudio . S. . Quiterio . M. . Aguilar . J. L. . Pérez-Ortiz . B. . Sánchez-Ardines . M. . Guzmán-Hernández . J. . Casanueva . E. . March 1989 . Biotin deficiency in protein-energy malnutrition . European Journal of Clinical Nutrition . 43 . 3 . 169–173 . 0954-3007 . 2499449.
- Hayashi . Atsushi . Mikami . Yohei . Miyamoto . Kentaro . Kamada . Nobuhiko . Sato . Toshiro . Mizuno . Shinta . Naganuma . Makoto . Teratani . Toshiaki . Aoki . Ryo . Fukuda . Shinji . Suda . Wataru . Hattori . Masahira . Amagai . Masayuki . Ohyama . Manabu . Kanai . Takanori . 2017-08-15 . Intestinal Dysbiosis and Biotin Deprivation Induce Alopecia through Overgrowth of Lactobacillus murinus in Mice . Cell Reports . 20 . 7 . 1513–1524 . 10.1016/j.celrep.2017.07.057 . 2211-1247 . 28813664. free .
- Mikati . Mohamad A. . Zalloua . Pierre . Karam . Pascale . Habbal . Mohamad-Zuheir . Rahi . Amal C. . November 2006 . Novel mutation causing partial biotinidase deficiency in a Syrian boy with infantile spasms and retardation . Journal of Child Neurology . 21 . 11 . 978–981 . 10.1177/08830738060210110301 . 0883-0738 . 17092467. 26189957 .
- Sealey . Wendy M . Teague . April M . Stratton . Shawna L . Mock . Donald M . October 2004 . Smoking accelerates biotin catabolism in women . The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition . 80 . 4 . 932–935 . 10.1093/ajcn/80.4.932 . 0002-9165 . 1450014 . 15447901.
- Subramanya . Sandeep B. . Subramanian . Veedamali S. . Kumar . Jeyan S. . Hoiness . Robert . Said . Hamid M. . March 2011 . Inhibition of intestinal biotin absorption by chronic alcohol feeding: cellular and molecular mechanisms . American Journal of Physiology. Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology . 300 . 3 . G494–G501 . 10.1152/ajpgi.00465.2010 . 0193-1857 . 3064116 . 21148397.
- Web site: Hoffman . Kristine . January 2015 . When Vitamin And Nutritional Deficiencies Cause Skin And Nail Changes . 2023-06-19 . www.hmpgloballearningnetwork.com.
- Khalidi . N. . Wesley . J. R. . Thoene . J. G. . Whitehouse . W. M. . Baker . W. L. . 1984 . Biotin deficiency in a patient with short bowel syndrome during home parenteral nutrition . Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition . 8 . 3 . 311–314 . 10.1177/0148607184008003311 . 0148-6071 . 6429370. 2027.42/141489 . free .
- Book: Said. H . Water Soluble Vitamins . Biotin: Biochemical, Physiological and Clinical Aspects . 56. 1–19. 10.1007/978-94-007-2199-9_1. 22116691. Subcellular Biochemistry. 2012 . 978-94-007-2198-2.
- Eng . Wei Kay . Giraud . David . Schlegel . Vicki L. . Wang . Dong . Lee . Bo Hyun . Zempleni . Janos . 2013-07-28 . Identification and assessment of markers of biotin status in healthy adults . The British Journal of Nutrition . 110 . 2 . 321–329 . 10.1017/S0007114512005065 . 0007-1145 . 4743878 . 23302490.
- Web site: Biotin (Oral Route) Description and Brand Names - Mayo Clinic . 2023-06-19 . www.mayoclinic.org.
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