Thiamine Deficiency in Mammals

Abstract

The use of animal models of thiamine deficiency has proved quite beneficial in the elucidation of underlying mechanisms of pathogenesis. Brain lesions, time course, symptoms, and reversibility of symptoms all correlate very well with features seen in humans. The issue of mode of action of thiamine antagonists has been investigated in thiamine-deficient rats (Gubler, 1961). Although several antagonists have been discovered such as oxythiamine, pyrithiamine, amprolium, and deaminothiamine most studies have used either oxythimine or pyrithiamine. The Gubler study examined the effects of a pure dietary thiamine-deficient diet, a thiamine-deficient diet plus oxythiamine, and a thiamine-deficient diet plus pyrithiamine on the oxidation of rat brain pyruvate and alpha-ketoglutarate.