Question

Thiamine is a vital co-factor that is intricately involved in the regulation of the citric acid cycle, a process essential for organisms to function. In patients with thiamine deficiency, many neurological deficits result. Describe why thiamine is a vital co-factor during metabolic regulation, and what symptoms should be expected in patients suffering from low thiamine levels.

Answer 1

Answer- thiamine in the form of TPP or thiamine pyrophosphate is a coenzyme or cofactor for the pyruvate dehydrogenase ezyme complex which catalyses the conversion of pyruvate ro acetyl coA.

This is the linking step between glycolysis and citric acid cycle . The acetyl co A so formed enters citric acud cycle to continue cellular respiration.

If thiamine is deficient pyruvate is not converted to acetyl co A and accumulation of puruvate occurs in tissues and also excreted in urine.

Pyruvate crosses blood brain barrier in thiamine deficiency and accumultes in brain and results in disturbed metabolism which is responsible for polyneuritis.

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