Abstract
As the transketolase requires thiamine diphosphate as cofactor, the transketolase activity of erythrocyte hemolysate can be used as an index for thiamine deficiency. In the present report, the effects of thiamine and cyclocarbothiamine (CCT), each 100μg/rat/day orally, on the transketolase activity and urinary excretion of thiamine in thiamine deficient rats were discussed. Urinary excretion of thiamine was greatly reduced after 3 days feeding with thiamine deficient diet, then increased as twice as control if thiamine or CCT was given for 3 days. After that, daily thiamine excretion was about the same amount until 20th day in thiamine administered group, but gradually increased in CCT group. Transketolase activity was significantly depressed after 10 days in thiamine deficient rats, and much more depression was noticed after 20 days. Thiamine and CCT were effective to prevent the depression of the enzyme activity, but there was no significant difference between these two groups.
