Abstract
This is a review of current research on the metabolic functions of lipoic acid and thiamine not previously summarized. The topics discussed are: (1) the role of lipoic acid and thiamine in the oxidative decarboxylation of alpha-keto acids; (2) the role of thiamine in the generation and utilization of "active glycoal-dehyde" and; (3) a proposed role of lipoic acid in the light reactions of photosynthesis.