IN VITRO ACTION OF CRYSTALLINE VITAMIN B1 ON PYRUVIC ACID METABOLISM IN TISSUES FROM POLYNEURITIC CHICKS

Abstract

Respiration of vitamin B1 deficient cerebrum in pyruvate is subnormal. The ability of chick kidney to utilize pyruvate substrate for respiration is seriously impaired in polyneuritis. The oxygen uptake of avitaminous cerebrum and kidney in pyruvate substrate is increased to a nearly normal level by in vitro additions of small amounts (2.5 gamma) of vitamin B1. This extra oxygen uptake produced by added vitamin B1 to avitaminous tissues is accompanied by an increased removal of pyruvate.