Topic: Vitamins and minerals
Question: Write a short note on Sources, biochemical functions and deficiency manifestations of thiamine
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Thiamine, also known as vitamin B1, is an essential vitamin required in small amounts for many biochemical functions in the body.
Sources:
Thiamine is found in high amounts in:
– Whole grains like brown rice, oats and wheat
– Pork
– Legumes like beans, lentils and peas
– Nuts like almonds and peanuts
– Yeast extracts like brewer’s yeast
Biochemical functions:
Thiamine acts as a coenzyme for several enzymes involved in carbohydrate metabolism:
– Transketolase: Involved in pentose phosphate pathway
– Pyruvate dehydrogenase: Converts pyruvate to acetyl CoA for the citric acid cycle
– Alpha-Ketoglutarate dehydrogenase: Another key enzyme in the citric acid cycle
Due to these roles, thiamine is important for cellular energy metabolism.
Deficiency manifestations:
Thiamine deficiency can cause:
– Beriberi: A disease characterized by neuropathies, cardiovascular abnormalities, edema and Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome (memory loss, ataxia and ocular abnormalities)
– Lactic acidosis: Due to dysfunction of pyruvate dehydrogenase
– Impaired glucose utilization: Affecting carbohydrate metabolism
– Failure to utilize fats as an energy source
– Weight loss and anorexia
Thiamine deficiency commonly occurs in:
– Alcoholics due to poor intake and impaired absorption
– People on prolonged intravenous feeding without thiamine supplementation
– Malnourished individuals
So in summary, thiamine functions as a coenzyme for many enzymes involved in glucose and energy metabolism. Deficiency can lead to impaired metabolism and diseases like beriberi.
