Abstract
Studies were made, using young rats, on the changes of zinc metabolism by the thiamine deficiency or by the daily administration of 100 mg of thiamine or thiamine propyldisulfide. A significant decrease of the zinc content of organs in thiamine deficiency was observed. At the early stage of thiamine deficiency, the urinary excretion of zinc increased, when the growth was still maintained. When thiamine propyldisulfide was orally administered, the zinc content of organs increased more significantly than by a thiamine administration. These findings indicate a close interrelationship between the activity of thiamine in body and the zinc metabolism.
