Research

Biotin

25 peer-reviewed studies curated from PubMed and Semantic Scholar.

2
Meta-analyses
3
Systematic reviews
12
RCTs
8
Other studies
Meta-analyses (8%)
Systematic reviews (12%)
RCTs (48%)
Observational (12%)

Studies

Sorted by quality and recency

2021·Multiple sclerosis and related disorders·Adrian I Espiritu, Patricia Pauline M Remalante-Rayco

High-dose biotin for multiple sclerosis: A systematic review and meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials.

Meta-analysisn = 889Brain Health

Systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs assessing high-dose biotin (HDB) in multiple sclerosis. The analysis included 3 RCTs with 889 participants, showing potential benefit in ITW25 for patients with progressive MS, but also a high incidence of laboratory test interference.

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2020·The Lancet. Neurology·Bruce A C Cree, Gary Cutter, Jerry S Wolinsky, et al

Safety and efficacy of MD1003 (high-dose biotin) in patients with progressive multiple sclerosis (SPI2): a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial.

RCTn = 642

This phase 3 RCT assessed the safety and efficacy of high-dose biotin (MD1003) in 642 patients with progressive multiple sclerosis. The study found no significant improvement in disability or walking speed with MD1003 compared to placebo. Treatment-emergent adverse events were similar between groups, but MD1003 interfered with laboratory tests using biotinylated antibodies.

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2019·The Cochrane database of systematic reviews·Anousha Victoire, Parker Magin, Jessica Coughlan, et al

Interventions for infantile seborrhoeic dermatitis (including cradle cap).

Meta-analysisn = 310

Meta-analysis of interventions for infantile seborrhoeic dermatitis in children from birth to 24 months. Included six RCTs with 310 children, comparing treatments like oral biotin, proprietary products, and topical corticosteroids. Results showed uncertainty regarding effectiveness and safety due to very low-certainty evidence.

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2024·Anais brasileiros de dermatologia·Flávia de Oliveira Valentim, Anna Carolina Miola, Hélio Amante Miot, et al

Efficacy of 5% topical minoxidil versus 5 mg oral biotin versus topical minoxidil and oral biotin on hair growth in men: randomized, crossover, clinical trial.

RCTSkin Hair Health

Randomized crossover clinical trial comparing the efficacy of 5% topical minoxidil, 5 mg oral biotin, and a combination of both on hair growth in men.

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2022·Dermatologic therapy·Aniseh Samadi, Yasaman Ketabi, Rojin Firooz, et al

Efficacy of intramuscular injections of biotin and dexpanthenol in the treatment of diffuse hair loss: A randomized, double-blind controlled study comparing two brands.

RCTn = 50Skin Hair Health

RCT comparing the efficacy of biotin and dexpanthenol injections from two brands in 50 patients with diffuse hair loss. Both groups showed significant improvement in hair fall count and total hair density after treatment. The Bayer group showed better improvement in terminal/vellus hair ratio compared to the Pars group.

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2021·Clinical chemistry and laboratory medicine·Julien Favresse, Jean-Louis Bayart, Damien Gruson, et al

The underestimated issue of non-reproducible cardiac troponin I and T results: case series and systematic review of the literature.

Systematic review

Systematic review and case series addressing non-reproducible cardiac troponin I and T results, highlighting interferences such as anti-troponin antibodies and biotin intake. The review warns clinicians about non-reproducible results that may affect clinical judgment and discusses the prevalence and identification of these interferences.

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2016·Pediatric radiology·Sahan P Semasinghe Bandaralage, Soheil Farnaghi, Joel M Dulhunty, et al

Antenatal and postnatal radiologic diagnosis of holocarboxylase synthetase deficiency: a systematic review.

Systematic reviewn = 75

Systematic review of radiologic diagnostic features of holocarboxylase synthetase deficiency in 75 patients. Antenatal and postnatal biotin supplementation is associated with good clinical outcomes, while untreated deficiency is fatal. Common imaging findings include subependymal cysts, ventriculomegaly, and intraventricular hemorrhage.

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2016·The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism·Marianne S Elston, Shekhar Sehgal, Stephen Du Toit, et al

Factitious Graves' Disease Due to Biotin Immunoassay Interference-A Case and Review of the Literature.

Systematic review

The paper reports a case of biotin-associated abnormal thyroid function tests due to immunoassay interference and includes a systematic review of the literature. It highlights that moderate to high doses of biotin can cause interference in immunoassays, leading to potentially misleading test results.

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2019·Dermatologic therapy·Agatina Chiavetta, Sabrina Mazzurco, Maria P Secolo, et al

Treatment of brittle nail with a hydroxypropyl chitosan-based lacquer, alone or in combination with oral biotin: A randomized, assessor-blinded trial.

RCTn = 50Skin Hair Health

Randomized, assessor-blinded trial evaluating hydroxypropyl chitosan-based nail lacquer alone or with oral biotin in 50 subjects with brittle nail syndrome. Both treatments significantly reduced the Onychodystrophy Global Severity Score, with greater improvement in the combination group.

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2018·CNS drugs·Ayman Tourbah, Olivier Gout, Alain Vighetto, et al

MD1003 (High-Dose Pharmaceutical-Grade Biotin) for the Treatment of Chronic Visual Loss Related to Optic Neuritis in Multiple Sclerosis: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study.

RCTn = 93

This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluated the effect of MD1003 (high-dose pharmaceutical-grade biotin) on vision in MS patients with chronic visual loss. The study did not meet its primary endpoint, as the mean change in visual acuity was nonsignificantly larger with MD1003 than with placebo. An interesting trend favoring MD1003 was observed in the subgroup of patients with progressive optic neuropathy.

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2016·Multiple sclerosis (Houndmills, Basingstoke, England)·Ayman Tourbah, Christine Lebrun-Frenay, Gilles Edan, et al

MD1003 (high-dose biotin) for the treatment of progressive multiple sclerosis: A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

RCTn = 154Brain Health

RCT of 154 patients with progressive multiple sclerosis comparing high-dose biotin (MD1003) to placebo over 12 months. 12.6% of MD1003-treated patients achieved disability reversal, with reduced EDSS progression and improved clinical impression of change compared to placebo. Efficacy was maintained, and the safety profile was similar to placebo.

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2014·The Journal of nutrition·Cydne A Perry, Allyson A West, Antoinette Gayle, et al

Pregnancy and lactation alter biomarkers of biotin metabolism in women consuming a controlled diet.

RCTn = 75Womens Health

The study measured biotin biomarkers in pregnant, lactating, and control women consuming a controlled diet with 57 μg of dietary biotin/d. Pregnant women showed increased excretion of 3-HIA, while lactating women showed increased excretion of bisnorbiotin, indicating altered biotin metabolism during these reproductive states. The findings suggest that biotin intakes exceeding current recommendations may be needed during pregnancy and lactation.

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2013·British poultry science·P M Hocking, E Stevenson, P M Beard

Supplementary biotin decreases tibial bone weight, density and strength in riboflavin-deficient starter diets for turkey poults.

RCTJoint Bone Health

The study investigated the effects of different dietary concentrations of riboflavin and biotin on growth and skeletal responses in turkey poults. Supplementary biotin in riboflavin-deficient diets was associated with decreased tibia weight, density, strength, and stiffness, indicating negative effects on bone health.

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2023·Pediatrics international : official journal of the Japan Pediatric Society·Naoto Takahashi, Hiromichi Shoji, Hiroko Arai, et al

Effect of biotin supplementation in infant formula: A multi-center study in Japan.

Studyn = 84Nutrition

This non-randomized intervention study evaluated the effect of biotin supplementation in infant formula on biotin metabolism and development in 84 healthy Japanese infants. Formula B-fed infants had higher urinary biotin concentrations than Formula A-fed and breast-fed infants at 1 and 6 months. ASQ scores were similar across groups from 9 to 36 months. The study supports the use of biotin in infant formula.

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2021·Clinical biochemistry·Ümmühan Öncül, Fatma Tuba Eminoğlu, Engin Köse, et al

Serum biotin interference: A troublemaker in hormone immunoassays.

Observationaln = 50

The study investigates biotin's interference on 25-hydroxy vitamin D, parathyroid hormone, and thyroid-stimulating hormone tests using different assay systems. High biotin concentrations affected results in Roche assays, leading to potential misdiagnosis, although neutralization with Streptavidin-coated magnetic particles can suppress interference.

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2018·Journal of pediatric endocrinology & metabolism : JPEM·Ebru Canda, Havva Yazici, Esra Er, et al

Single center experience of biotinidase deficiency: 259 patients and six novel mutations.

Observationaln = 259

The study evaluated 259 patients with biotinidase deficiency (BD) to identify gene mutations and clinical findings. Most patients were diagnosed through newborn screening, with partial and profound deficiencies detected. Six novel mutations were identified, and all patients were treated with biotin.

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2018·Giornale italiano di dermatologia e venereologia : organo ufficiale, Societa italiana di dermatologia e sifilografia·Ersilia Tolino, Nevena Skroza, Alessandra Mambrin, et al

Novel combination for the treatment of acne differentiated based on gender: a new step towards personalized treatment.

RCTSkin Hair Health

Double-blinded clinical trial evaluating the efficacy and tolerability of a gender-specific oral supplement and topical cream for mild to moderate acne. The oral supplements contain biotin, probiotic, vitamin E, zinc, nicotinamide, with additional ingredients for males and females. Significant improvement in acne grading was observed, especially in those taking the oral supplement.

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2012·The Tohoku journal of experimental medicine·Shiro Oguma, Itiro Ando, Takuo Hirose, et al

Biotin ameliorates muscle cramps of hemodialysis patients: a prospective trial.

RCTn = 14Physical Performance

Prospective trial administering 1 mg/day biotin to 14 hemodialysis patients with frequent muscle cramps. Biotin reduced the onset and severity of cramps in 12 patients. Plasma biotin levels were higher in hemodialysis patients compared to healthy volunteers, but biotin levels were higher in biotin-ineffective patients than in biotin-effective ones.

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2006·Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie·Cristina Revilla-Monsalve, Iván Zendejas-Ruiz, Sergio Islas-Andrade, et al

Biotin supplementation reduces plasma triacylglycerol and VLDL in type 2 diabetic patients and in nondiabetic subjects with hypertriglyceridemia.

RCTn = 33Heart Health

RCT investigating the effect of biotin supplementation on plasma lipids in type 2 diabetic and nondiabetic subjects. Biotin significantly reduced plasma triacylglycerol and VLDL concentrations, suggesting a potential use in treating hypertriglyceridemia.

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2006·The American journal of clinical nutrition·Shawna L Stratton, Anna Bogusiewicz, Matthew M Mock, et al

Lymphocyte propionyl-CoA carboxylase and its activation by biotin are sensitive indicators of marginal biotin deficiency in humans.

RCTn = 7Nutrition

The study examined the utility of measuring propionyl-coenzyme A carboxylase (PCC) activity and its activation by biotin in detecting marginal biotin deficiency. Marginal biotin deficiency was induced in 7 adults through egg-white feeding, and PCC activity was found to be a sensitive indicator of biotin status.

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2018·Clinical biochemistry·Grace R Williams, Mark A Cervinski, Robert D Nerenz

Assessment of biotin interference with qualitative point-of-care hCG test devices.

Study

The study evaluated the effect of supplemental biotin on seven point-of-care urine hCG test devices using purified biotin and urine from volunteers consuming 10mg biotin/day. Six devices showed no biotin interference, but the QuickVue device's control line intensity decreased with >5μg/mL biotin, potentially leading to invalid test results.

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2020·Pediatric Health, Medicine and Therapeutics·E. Canda, S. Kalkan Uçar, M. Çoker

Biotinidase Deficiency: Prevalence, Impact And Management Strategies

Review

Narrative review discussing biotinidase deficiency, an autosomal recessive neurocutaneous disorder. The review highlights the importance of biotin treatment in preventing symptoms in patients with biotinidase deficiency, as supported by newborn screening programs.

Semantic ScholarRead on Semantic Scholar
2016·Pediatrics international : official journal of the Japan Pediatric Society·Shin-Ichiro Hagiwara, Mitsuru Kubota, Ryusuke Nambu, et al

Screening of carnitine and biotin deficiencies on tandem mass spectrometry.

Observationaln = 42Nutrition

The study investigated the use of tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) for screening carnitine and biotin deficiencies in 42 children. It found a strong positive correlation between serum free carnitine and C0 levels, and noted that therapy-resistant eczema improved with additional biotin treatment.

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2015·Multiple sclerosis and related disorders·Frédéric Sedel, Caroline Papeix, Agnès Bellanger, et al

High doses of biotin in chronic progressive multiple sclerosis: a pilot study.

Studyn = 23Brain Health

Pilot study assessing the clinical efficacy and safety of high doses of biotin in 23 patients with progressive multiple sclerosis. Significant improvements were observed in visual acuity and spinal cord involvement, suggesting potential benefits of biotin on disability and progression in progressive MS.

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2015·European journal of paediatric neurology : EJPN : official journal of the European Paediatric Neurology Society·Brahim Tabarki, Majid Alfadhel, Saad AlShahwan, et al

Treatment of biotin-responsive basal ganglia disease: Open comparative study between the combination of biotin plus thiamine versus thiamine alone.

Studyn = 20

Open-label prospective comparative study of 20 patients with biotin-responsive basal ganglia disease, comparing biotin plus thiamine to thiamine alone over 30 months. Both groups had similar outcomes in terms of recurrences, neurologic sequelae, and brain MRI findings, but the biotin plus thiamine group had faster recovery from acute crises.

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