The Role of Fecal Thiamine and Cocarboxylase in Human Nutrition

Abstract

Chem. analysis of normal human feces revealed more thiamine and cocarboxylase than any tissue. Seitz filtration of a water suspension markedly decreased the thiamine indicating that this exists largely in the bodies of fecal bacteria. Following a 24-hr. retention enema of twice the amt. of free and phosphory-lated thiamine found in the avg. 24-hr. stool, the urinary thiamine did not increase and all the admin. thiamine and cocarboxylase were recovered as such from the next 24-hr. stool. No absorption occurred.