PABA - PARA-AMINOBENZOIC ACID
Dupuytrens contracture can respond
to therapy program that includes PABA because of its ability to
assist the process of breaking down foreign protein – like in
thickened scar tissue and contractures.
Description
Para-aminobenzoic acid or PABA is a non-protein amino acid that
is widely distributed in nature. Many years ago, when B-vitamins
were first being researched, PABA was referred to as vitamin Bx.
We now know it is neither a vitamin nor an essential nutrient
for humans, since it is made in the body by beneficial bacteria
in the small intestine.
PABA is used in the body to incorporate protein into living
tissue, as well as to reverse this process by breaking down
protein. It is also used in formation of red blood cells, as
well as an intermediary step in the manufacture of folic acid in
the intestines. PABA also assists in maintaining the health of
your intestinal flora (the beneficial bacteria found in the
intestine). It has been linked to hair growth as well as
reversing the graying of hair, but these results tend to be
inconclusive, except when there is significant B-vitamin
deficiency. People suffering from vitiligo (over-pigmentation of
skin) or without pigment in some spots, have reported an
improvement of their skin coloration after taking PABA
supplementation. Para-aminobenzoic acid is also used in
sunscreen preparations since it can help protect the skin
against ultraviolet radiation. Found in liver, kidney, brewer's
yeast, molasses, whole grains, mushrooms and spinach, PABA is
also made by intestinal bacteria (flora).
While most of the research done on Peyronie’s disease and
Dupuytrens contracture has been conducted with potassium
para-aminobenzoate (POTABA), this particular form of PABA
frequently causes severe gastric distress, and for this reason
it is a prescription medication.(1) The more safe and less
expensive PABA can be readily gotten without a prescription, and
hence it is less expensive without sacrificing effectiveness of
treatment.
Dupuytrens Contracture Connection
PABA is reported to have an anti-fibrotic (anti-scar) effect in
the body, and for this reason it is used to treat certain skin
conditions in which fibrosis, inelasticity or thickening of the
skin occurs. The reputed antifibrotic action of PABA may be due
to its stimulation of increased oxygen uptake at the tissue
level, which enhances the oxygen-dependent monoamine oxidase
activity that in turn prevents or causes regression of tissue
fibrosis.
Aminobenzoate potassium is used medically to treat fibrosis, a
condition in which the skin and underlying tissues tighten and
become less flexible. This condition occurs in such diseases as
Dupuytrens contracture, Peyronie's disease, dermatomyositis,
morphea, scleroderma, and linear scleroderma. It is also used to
treat non-suppurative inflammation that occurs in such diseases
as dermatomyositis, pemphigus, and again, Peyronie's disease.
It is likely because of the suspected anti-scar quality of PABA
that it is reported by many to be effective in treatment of PD.
Supporting this idea, from the world literature we find reports
of 2,752 cases treated with Potaba by 1996 that have shown
improvement in 60% of the cases studied, with a range of
improvement from 10% to 82% depending on the study, and a
reported median failure rate of 40%.(2) The wide variation of
success (10% to 82%) in the review is a reflection of the wide
variance of the PD process, once again confirming this is a very
difficult condition to study and determine success rates. There
are other PD studies, using PABA alone or in combination with
other therapies, all citing success in a similar range; one of
the studies reported the success of 214 urologists who treated
2653 cases of PD with para-aminobenzoacidic potassium.(3-4)
However, the 60% average success is a very good success rate and
gives encouragement that PABA is a viable inclusion into a
person’s PD treatment plan.
We recommend adding PABA to your treatment plan because there is
good science to support its use in Dupuytrens contracture. PABA
research is also good not only for Dupuytrens contracture and
Peyronie’s disease, but for other conditions that have similar
tissue fibrosis components, such as scleroderma. Again, in spite
of favorable research and multiple studies showing favorable
effect of PABA on Peyronie’s disease,, there is insufficient
evidence to establish it as a proven treatment because there are
researchers and studies that do not agree with these results.
Therefore, once again, talk to your physician about adding PABA
to your Dupuytrens contracture treatment plan.
Dupuytrens contracture and Peyronie’s disease connection
There are many statistical and clinical similarities between
Dupuytrens contracture and Peyronie’s disease. So much so, that
there is even a connection between treatment that has benefited
one condition being also potentially beneficial for the other.
Because of this, it is common to learn from men who are being
treated with a PDI therapy program for their Peyronie’s disease
that their concurrent Dupuytrens contracture is also improving.
Therefore, when one study shows that Peyronies disease is
benefited by PABA, it can be of interest to someone with
Dupuytrens contracture.
Contraindications
PABA should not be administered to anyone taking sulfonamides or
to anyone who is hypersensitive to it. PABA should be stopped if
hypersensitivity develops. PABA should be used with caution in
those with renal disease. If anorexia or nausea occurs, PABA
should be stopped until the person is eating normally again.
Those taking pharmaceutical doses of PABA must be under medical
supervision.
PABA Product Recommendation
The PABA recommended by
DCI comes from Douglas Laboratory. It is
available in a 500 mg capsule simply called PABA. As we have
written before, we value highly the reputation and quality for
which Douglas Laboratory has been known for the last 50 years.
It is a name you can trust, and we are happy to make it
available for your one-source shopping.
Want to learn more technical information on this subject?
The sister organization for the Dupuytrens Contracture Institute
(DCI)
is the Peyronie’s Disease Institute (PDI).
There are many statistical and pathophysiological similarities
between these two conditions, that the same group of doctors who
created PDI
have also developed
DCI.
Many men who have Peyronie’s disease note that their Dupuytrens
contracture also improves. Therefore, there appears to be a
natural confluence of interest between these two problems. What
can be said for one problem can be said of the other, especially
in terms of treatment.
On the website of the larger
PDI website you will find a more
detailed discussion and instruction of this topic. Just click
here to learn more about
PABA
on the
PDI
website.
For ideas and suggestions putting
DMSO and other goodies into a treatment plan,
click
Create a Dupuytrens Treatment Plan.
Order PABA
Why Buy from
DCI?
1. Service
DCI
offers email support
and assistance for the products and services we provide.
We provide experience and interest in helping you with
your problem.
DCI
is here to help you with questions about the products we
sell. This is an extremely valuable service the others
cannot possibly match.
2. Quality and Quantity Repairing
the hand contractures is such an important mission. It is
critical you use a high quality and quantity of
nutrients. We have done the hard part selecting good
companies and products. Buy with confidence.
3. Value
DCI
has a competitive
pricing structure of which we are proud. We doubt you
can find better products that deliver the quality and
quantity for the prices we have set.
4. Convenience The longer you take
to start treating your hand, the longer and more difficult
treatment becomes, and the likelihood of success
deteriorates. Everything you need is here, right now, in
one place. |
_______________________________________
1. Ludwig G. Evaluation of conservative therapeutic approaches
to Peyronie's disease (fibrotic induration of the penis). Urol
Int. 1991;47(4):236-9. Urologische Klinik, Städtisches
Krankenhaus, Frankfurt am Main-Höchst, BRD.
2. Wagenknecht LV. Differential therapies in various stages of
penile induration. Arch Esp Urol. 1996 Apr;49(3):285-92.
3. Carson CC. Potassium para-aminobenzoate for the treatment of
Peyronie's disease: is it effective? Tech Urol. 1997
Fall;3(3):135-9. Division of Urology, University of North
Carolina, School of Medicine, Chapel Hill 27599-7235, USA.
4. Hasche-Klunder R. Treatment of peyronie's disease with
para-aminobenzoacidic potassium (POTOBA) Urologe A. 1978
Jul;17(4):224-7. (author's transl) [Article in German] |
