Thiamin pyrophosphokinase (TPK) transfers a pyrophosphate group from ATP to the hydroxyl group of thiamin and produces thiamin pyrophosphate (TPP). TPP is the cofactor of metabolically important enzymes such as pyruvate dehydrogenase, α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase, branched-chain α-keto acid dehydrogenase, transketolase and 2-hydroxyphytanoyl-CoA lyase. Thiamin deficiency results in Wernike-Kor...

Encephalopathy is a well-known side effect of IFOS. This syndrome develops in 10% of patients exposed to the drug and usually disappears after stopping therapy, although some patients may die without recovery (1). It has been proposed that IFOS metabolites may interfere with the function of flavoproteins, leading to the observed CNS disturbances (2), and therapy with methylene blue has been suc...

The effects of thiamin deficiency during pregnancy and/or lactation on brain cholinergic system in rat pups were studied. Dietary rehabilitation for a period of 5 weeks from the 28th day was instituted to study possible 'catch-up' in the brain acetylcholine levels. Brain acetylcholine level was found to be significantly decreased on the 21st and 28th days in pups of the dams fed thiamin deficie...

Striking impairment of the antibody response to sheep erythrocytes was found in pyridoxine-deficient rats. Deficiencies in the three other B factors required by the rat, and low protein feeding, having effects on body weight comparable to pyridoxine deficiency, failed to influence the antibody response studied. Confirming previous observations, a striking loss of thymic and lymphoid tissue occu...

Thiamin (vitamin B1) is made by plants and microorganisms but is an essential micronutrient in the human diet. All organisms require it as a cofactor in its form as thiamin pyrophosphate (TPP) for the activity of key enzymes of central metabolism. In humans, deficiency is widespread particularly in populations where polished rice is a major component of the diet. Considerable progress has been ...

There is no doubt that nutritional status can have significant and sometimes profound effects on human mental performance (Table 1). This is evidenced by, for example, the consequences of chronic and severe food restriction (Smart, 1993), thiamin deficiency (Kanarek & Marks-Kaufman, 1991), and Fe deficiency (Pollitt, 1987). Acute effects of food and fluid ingestion have also been described, and...

A multifaceted analysis of the nutritional status of 196 subjects, aged over 65, institutionalized in hospitals, residential accomodation, and sheltered dwellings and of noninstituionalized subjects was untaken. Subjects of hospital and home, with or without multivitamin supplementation, were grouped separately. The study comprised of 3-day weighed dietary record, biochemical determinations, an...