Metabolic and Structural Role of Thiamine in Nervous Tissues

Abstract

In the literature, previous descriptions of the role of thiamine (B1 vitamin) focused mostly on its biochemical functions as a coenzyme precursor of some key enzymes of the carbohydrate metabolism. This report reviews recent developments on the metabolic and structural role of thiamine, e.g., the coenzyme and noncoenzyme functions of the vitamin. Taking into account analysis of our experimental data relating to the effects of thiamine deficiency on developing central nervous system (CNS) and data available in literature, we seek to establish a clear difference between the metabolic and structural role of thiamine. Our experimental data indicate that the specific and nonspecific effects express two diametrically diverse functions of thiamine in development: the nonspecific effects show up the metabolic consequences of thiamine deficiency resulting in apoptosis and severe cellular deficit; inversely, the specific effects announced the structural consequences of thiamine deficiency, described as cellular membrane damage, irregular and ectopic cells. The review highlights the existence of noncoenzyme functions of this vitamin through its interactions with biological membranes.

Vitamin B1 in critically ill patients: needs and challenges

“…TMP and free thiamine were the only detectable species in the extracellular fluid. The majority of TPP in the body is found in erythrocytes and accounts for approximately 80% of the total bodies stores [14,[42][43][44]. There is no consensus on reference intervals for thiamine compounds in the human body.…”

Thiamine Therapy for Heart Failure: a Promise or Fiction?

“…Thiamine also helps in the conduction of nerve impulses, independent of its coenzyme functions. It is important for maintenance of nerve membrane stability and modulates membrane ion channels for efficient nerve conduction [1].…”

Adenosine Thiamine Triphosphate (AThTP) Inhibits Poly(ADP-Ribose) Polymerase-1 (PARP-1) Activity

“…The structure of AThTP appears to closely resemble NAD ϩ . Although the biological role of AThTP is unknown, the existence of noncoenzyme functions of thiamine derivatives has been speculated (11)(12)(13)(14).In the context of 1) structural resemblance of AThTP to NAD ϩ , 2) the experimental evidence implicating PARP-1 as a causative factor in the pathogenesis of diabetes and diabetic complications in vitro and in vivo (reviewed in Szabó ( 8 )), and 3) beneficial effects of highdose thiamine on diabetic complications, we hypothesized that AThTP could interact with PARP-1 and mod-E-mail: t.tanaka.md@gmail.com Abbreviations: AThTP, adenosine thiamine triphosphate; NAD ϩ , nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide; PARP-1, poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase-1. …”

“…The structure of AThTP appears to closely resemble NAD ϩ . Although the biological role of AThTP is unknown, the existence of noncoenzyme functions of thiamine derivatives has been speculated (11)(12)(13)(14).…”