Biochemical and medical aspects of vitamin B1 research

Vitamin B₁ is an indispensable food factor for the human and animal body. In animals, vitamin B₁ is found in the form of thiamine and its phosphate esters – thiamine mono-, di- and triphosphate, as well as an adenylated derivative – adenosine thiamine triphosphate. At present, the only vitamin B₁ form with biochemical functions being elucidated is thiamine diphosphate, which serves as a coenzyme for several important enzymes involved in carbohydrate, amino acid, fatty acid and energy metabolism. Here we review the latest developments in the field of vitamin B₁ research in animals. Transport, metabolism and biological role of thiamine and its derivatives are considered as well as the involvement of vitamin B₁-dependent processes in human diseases and its therapeutic issues, a field that has gained momentum with several important recent developments.