Red Blood Cell Transketolase Activity and the Effect of Thiamine Supplementation in Patients with Chronic Liver Disease

Abstract
Biochemical evidence of thiamine deficiency was found in 58% of patients with chronic liver disease, the incidence being higher in alcoholic than in non-alcoholic patients. Daily supplementation with high doses of thiamine hydrochloride (200 mg/day) for 1 wk restored levels of thiamine pyrophosphate (TPP), the active co-enzyme form of thiamine, to normal in all cases. Such supplementation also stimulated synthesis of the TPP-dependent enzyme transketolase. Because of the essential role of TPP as a co-factor in intermediary metabolism, high doses of thiamine should be included in the routine nutritional management of patients with severe chronic liver disease.

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