Effect of thiamine and thiamine levels on experimental alloxan induced diabetes mellitus.

The effects of thiamine (T) on diabetes mellitus (DM) and the T levels in the brain, heart, liver, kidneys pancreas, muscle, adipose tissue and blood were measured. For the experimental DM model, alloxan (170 mg/kg, i.v.) was injected into male ddY mice and insulin was also administered for 5 days to prevent death by hyperglycemia (DM group). After 14 days, blood glucose level increased to 455 mg/dl, compared to 166 mg/dl in the normal control group (NC group). In the DM mice, the T level in the liver decreased to 7.71 micrograms/g, compared to 16.29 micrograms/g in the NC group. The T levels in the heart, pancreas, muscle and adipose tissue increased to 18.63 micrograms/g, 3.99 micrograms/g, 2.53 micrograms/g and 5.07 micrograms/g in the DM group, compared to 14.99 micrograms/g, 3.27 micrograms/g, 1.98 micrograms/g and 4.04 micrograms/g in the NC group, respectively. The T levels in the brain and kidney were 2.38 micrograms/g and 14.00 micrograms/g in the DM group, compared to 2.34 micrograms/g and 13.72 micrograms/g in the NC group, respectively. But, in the heart, an active form of a T co-enzyme decreased to 27%, compared to 95% for the NC group. These results indicate a T deficiency or an endogenous T deficiency in the DM group. All DM mice without insulin treatment died within 7 days but about 40% of the mice survived up to 14 days with the administration of T.