Abstract
The hepatic uptake of O, S-dicarbethoxythiamine (DCET) was studied by rat liver perfusion technique of Brauer in comparison with thiamine-HCl. The function of the excised liver during perfusion was evaluated from the speed of bile formation. It was found that the liver takes up free thiamine and DCET in the perfusate and it is more efficient with the latter. While the liver takes up free thiamine or DECT, it also liberates bound form of thiamine into the perfusate and the increase of bound thiamine is more pronounced with DECT. Part of DCET in the perfusate passes the liver without being taken up, and this derivative of thiamine may prove to be effective in increasing tissue thiamine levels after oral administration. Under inadequate conditions or when the liver cell functions are failing, no change of thiamine metabolism or increase of free thiamine in the perfusate would occur.
