1. Quasi vitamins: p-Aminobenzoic Acid (pAA)
Domina Petric, MD

2. Precursor to folate in bacteria
p-Aminobenzoic Acid is an essential growth factor for many species of bacteria, which use it as a precursor for the biosynthesis of folate.
Combs GF. The Vitamins. Fundamental Aspects in Nutrition and Health. Elsevier Inc

3. Clinical uses
pAA can antagonize the bacteriostatic effects of sulfonamide drugs owing to similarities in chemical structure.
It has a very high absorbance in the ultraviolet (UV) range and is used as a UV-screening agent in sun-blocking preparations.
Combs GF. The Vitamins. Fundamental Aspects in Nutrition and Health. Elsevier Inc

4. Clinical uses
In a randomized, controlled trial, pAA was found to inhibit fibroblast proliferation and to promote the reduction of fibrous plaques that cause penile deformation in patients with Peyronie’s disease.
Combs GF. The Vitamins. Fundamental Aspects in Nutrition and Health. Elsevier Inc

5. Clinical uses
Because its metabolism is limited, pAA can be used in clinical situations as a marker of the completeness of 24-hour urine collections, 70-85% appearing in the urine after a single oral dose.
Combs GF. The Vitamins. Fundamental Aspects in Nutrition and Health. Elsevier Inc

6. Clinical uses
Its glutamyl ester, p-aminobenzoylglutamate, is the primary catabolite of folate, produced by cleavage of the C9-N10 bond.
Excreted in the urine as p-acetamidobenzoylglutamate, urinary levels of pAA reflect the total body folate pool and can serve as an indicator of long-term folate status.
Combs GF. The Vitamins. Fundamental Aspects in Nutrition and Health. Elsevier Inc

7. Literature
Combs GF. The Vitamins. Fundamental Aspects in Nutrition and Health. Elsevier Inc