Abstract
The transport of thiamine in erythrocytes was investigated and the rate constant of its transport was estimated. The transport rate of thimine was very slow, in contrast to its lipophilic derivatives or to the decreasing rate of thiamine level in blood following intravenous administration. It was confirmed by the following reasons that the transport process of thiamine had taken place by simple diffusion in its concentration above 3 μg/ml. (l) The kinetic equation induced from simple diffusion was able to be adapted to the transport pocess of thiamine in erythrocytes. (2) The transport rate constant was independent of thiamine concentrations. (3) The transport was not affected by the metabolic inhibitors, pyrithiamine, glucose and others. (4) Almost the same rate constant was observed between influx and efflux transport of thiamine in erythrocytes suspension. From the observation of the effect of temperaturre on the transport, the activation energy was estimated to be 35 Kcal/mole. Comparing with the transport rate in rat, rabbit, dog and human erythrocytes, it was recognized that the rate was higher in the above order.
