Thiamin, also known as vitamin B1, plays a critical role in energy metabolism. It is found naturally in some foods and is also available as a dietary supplement. A thiamin deficiency can lead to beriberi, with symptoms like weight loss, muscle weakness, and mental confusion. Thiamin helps convert carbohydrates, fats, and proteins into energy. It is absorbed in the small intestine and transported throughout the body, where it occurs predominantly in phosphorylated form within cells. Maintaining adequate thiamin levels is important for many bodily functions.

1. THIAMIN
Muskan
B.Sc. (Hons.)Biochemistry
2018012488
Medical Biochemistry

2. INTRODUCTION
• Thiamin (or thiamine) is one of the water-soluble B vitamins.
• Also known as Vitamin B1
• Natural present in some foods
• Available as a dietary supplement
• Plays a critical role in energy metabolism and,
in the growth, development, and function of cells.

3. SOURCE OF THIAMIN

4. DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS
• Leads to beriberi (a condition that features problems with the peripheral nerves and
wasting).
• Weight loss
• Anorexia
• Mental problem including confusion and short term memory loss
• Muscle weakening
• Cardiovascular symptoms occurs ( for e.g. enlarged heart)

5. FUNCTION
• All vitamin B are water soluble, they help to convert carbohydrates, fats, and protein into
energy, or glucose.
• Necessary for keeping the liver, skin, hair, and eyes healthy.
• They also play a role in the nervous system, and they are needed for good brain function.
• B vitamins are sometimes called anti-stress vitamins, because they boost the body’s
immune system in times of stress.

6. METABOLISMOF THIAMIN

7. METABOLISM

8. ABSORPTIONOF THIAMIN
• Thiamine released by the action of phosphatase and pyrophosphatase in the upper small
intestine is absorbed in two ways.
1. At lower conc.(<2 micro meter) the process is carrier- mediated
2. At higher conc. (2.5 mg dose) passive diffusion also occurs.
• The active transport mechanism is greatest in the proximal regions of the small intestine.
• The cells of the intestinal mucosa have a thiamine pyrophosphokinase activity, with a Km
about the same as that of the carrier-mediated absorption process.

9. TRANSPORT OF THIAMIN
• Thiamin is taken up the cells of the blood and other tissues by active transport.
• Intracellular thiamine occurs predominately (80%) in phosphorylated form, most of which is
bound to proteins.
• Its uptake and secretion is mediated mostly by a soluble thiamine transporter that is dependent
on Na+ and transcellular proton gradient.
• The transporter has been cloned and mapped to the human chromosome.
• The greatest amounts of the transporter have been found in skeletal muscle, heart and
placenta.
• Low or non detectable amounts of transporter have been found in liver ,kidney ,brain and
intestine

10. REFERNCE VALUES

11. Source of Content
• Krause’s Food and nutrition care process Book
• PubMed
• Natinal Institue of Health – Fact sheet