THE MEASUREMENT AND METABOLISM OF THIAMIN AND OF A PYRIMIDINE STIMULATING YEAST FERMENTATION FOUND IN THE BLOOD CELLS AND URINE OF PATIENTS WITH LEUKEMIA 1

Abstract

The total thiamin levels in the leukocytes and platelets of patients with leukemia are about 3 times the normal avg. value, and in 82% of the patients they are above the highest normal. The conc. of PAYF (pyrimidine accelerator of yeast fermentation) in the leukemic leukocytes and platelets forms an abnormally small % of the total thiamin content. No obvious correlation exists between the conc. of blood cell total thiamin and the form, severity or degree of associated leukocytosis of the leukemia, or between the conc. and the sex or age of the patient. No obvious relationship exists between the white cell conc. of thiamin and the apparent youth of the cells. Patients with leukemia excrete normal amts. of thiamin and PAYF in the urine. The high conc. of white cell total thiamin may be due to impaired utilization of the thiamin, and not to increased ingestion or faulty excretion of the vit. or to the apparent youth of the cells involved.