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World J Diabetes. Jun 15, 2014; 5(3): 288-295
Published online Jun 15, 2014. doi: 10.4239/wjd.v5.i3.288
Evidence for altered thiamine metabolism in diabetes: Is there a potential to oppose gluco- and lipotoxicity by rational supplementation?
Lukáš Pácal, Katarína Kuricová, Kateřina Kaňková
Lukáš Pácal, Katarína Kuricová, Kateřina Kaňková, Department of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic
Author contributions: Pácal L and Kuricová K performed literature search and wrote the manuscript; Kaňková K edited and supervised the manuscript.
Supported by The Grant from the Ministry of Health of Czech Republic, No. NT13198
Correspondence to: Kateřina Kaňková, MD, PhD, Department of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic. kankov@med.muni.cz
Telephone: +420-549-494525 Fax: +420-549-494340
Received: November 29, 2013
Revised: April 14, 2014
Accepted: May 16, 2014
Published online: June 15, 2014
Core Tip

Core tip: Published data suggest deficient action of thiamine in diabetes, however, it is not currently clear by which mechanisms. Plasma levels might be decreased in diabetics (although renal function has a prevailing effect), nevertheless, intracellular concentration of thiamine diphosphate is the crucial parameter and there is not a direct relationship with the plasma thiamine since the rate of transmembrane transport (via thiamine transporters) and intracellular activation by thiamine pyrophosphokinase might affected by hyperglycemia at first place. Experimental studies on the molecular mechanisms of thiamine deficiency in diabetes are critically needed before clear answer to diabetes community could be given.