Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
PharmaNutrition, cilt.36, 2026 (ESCI, Scopus)
Biotin, also known as Vitamin B7 or Vitamin H, is a water-soluble vitamin essential for numerous biological processes, including its role as a coenzyme for biotin-dependent carboxylases. Carboxylases are critical for energy metabolism, gluconeogenesis, and fatty acid synthesis. Unlike some microorganisms, humans cannot synthesize biotin de novo, relying instead on external dietary sources. Most dietary biotins are protein-bound and requires the biotin cycle for liberation and utilization. Biotin is absorbed via the sodium-dependent multivitamin transporter (SMVT) and predominantly excreted in urine as catabolites. Beyond its metabolic functions, biotin also influences gene regulation through mechanisms such as histone biotinylation and transcriptional modulation of key transporters like Solute Carrier Family 19 Member 3 and SMVT. Even regular diets generally provide sufficient biotin; deficiency can arise due to metabolic defects, chronic alcoholism, certain drugs, or dietary imbalances. Such deficiencies, while potentially catastrophic, are rapidly reversed with pharmacological doses of free biotin. Therapeutic applications include treating metabolic disorders such as biotinidase deficiency and multiple carboxylase deficiency, as well as neurological diseases like biotin-responsive basal ganglia disease. The safety of biotin, even at high doses, makes it a promising candidate for diverse interventions. This review synthesizes current knowledge on biotin's structure, metabolism, deficiency states, and therapeutic uses, emphasizing its significance as a critical micronutrient and a versatile therapeutic molecule. Future research is encouraged to elucidate biotin's roles in gene regulation further, explore novel therapeutic applications, and optimize clinical strategies for its use.