The Effect of Deficiency and Small Excess of Thiamine on the Rat Phrenic Nerve Diaphragm Preparation

Abstract

Preparations made from thiamine deficient rats showed subnormal twitch tensions in response to nerve stimulation but gave normal twitch tensions when directly stimulated. Tensions developed during tetanus were subnormal whether elicited directly or indirectly. Sensitivity to an excess of potassium ion was reduced but that to tubocurarine remained unchanged. Excess of thiamine, in near physiological concentrations, was almost devoid of curare-like action except in the presence of an excess of thyroid hormone.