Thiamine or thiamin, also known as vitamin B1, is a colorless compound with chemical formula C12H17N4OS. It is soluble in water and insoluble in alcohol. Thiamine decomposes if heated. Thiamine was first discovered by Umetaro Suzuki in Japan when researching how rice bran cured patients of Beriberi. He named it aberic acid. Biological roles
Thiamine pyrophosphate (TPP) is a coenzyme for pyruvate dehydrogenase, a-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase and transketolase. The first two of these enzymes function in the metabolism of carbohydrates, while transketolase functions in the pentose phosphate pathway to synthesize NADPH and the pentose sugars deoxyribose and ribose. TPP is synthesized by the enzyme thiamine pyrophosphokinase, which requires free thiamine, magnesium, and adenosine triphosphate.
Roles in disease: Deficiency
Systemic thiamine deficiency can lead to myriad problems including neurodegeneration, wasting, and death. A lack of thiamine can be caused by malnutrition, a diet high in thiaminase-rich foods (raw freshwater fish, raw shellfish, ferns) and/or foods high in anti-thiamine factors (tea, coffee, betel nuts) [1].
Well-known syndromes caused by thiamine deficiency include Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome and beriberi, diseases also common in chronic abusers of alcohol.
Overdose
The only known cases of thiamine overdose occurred with thiamine injections. Thiamine injection may result in anaphylactic reactions.
Genetic diseases
Genetic diseases of thiamine transport are rare but serious. Thiamine Responsive Megaloblastic Anemia with diabetes mellitus and sensorineural deafness (TRMA) is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by mutations in the gene SLC19A2, a high affinity thiamine transporter. TRMA patients do not show signs of systemic thiamine deficiency, suggesting redundancy in the thiamine transport system. This has led to the discovery of a second high affinity thiamine transporter, SLC19A3.
Various applications
Regular thiamine is poorly absorbed by the digestive system. A derivate of it, thiamine di(2-methylpropionate) disulfide, has been shown to be much better absorbed. In addition, the derivate also binds to specific cells in the brain, enhancing memory and attention and also increasing muscle control and endurance. Therefore it is used by bodybuilders and other athletes during intense training. A more detailed description can be found in this article in the Muscle & Fitness magazine. Currently the only available product that includes this derivate is Spike.
