Effect of Mercurials on Thiamine Excretion in Patients with Congestive Heart Failure

Abstract

The effect was investigated in 9 patients with congestive heart failure. Levels of thiamine excretion following mercurial administration are significantly increased over those on control days. On the day of mercurial administration the mean value of vitamin B1 excretion was 403 [mu]g. per 24 hrs. as compared with 135 [mu]g. per 24 hrs. on the control days. The data also seem to indicate that the mercurial-induced thiamine excretion is not due to the increased diuresis; it is suggested that it may be related to the depressed tubular absorption of the thiamine.