Metabolism: Thiamine (Vitamin B1)

Setting

• Military training camp in a forest.
• Focus: Strengthening thighs (Thigh-men).

Key Concepts

Thiamine (Vitamin B1)

• Necessary for many enzyme functions.
• Mnemonic: Thigh-men race helps remember Vitamin B1 (Thiamine is number 1)

Enzymes Requiring Thiamine

1. Transketolase

   • Found in red blood cells.
   • Upregulated with more thiamine.
   • Mnemonic: "Training" man resembles "Transketolase."

2. Branched-Chain Ketoacid Dehydrogenase

   • Remembered through "branch" obstacle in course.

3. Alpha-Ketoglutarate Dehydrogenase

   • Part of the TCA cycle (Tricycle mnemonic).
   • "Alpha" symbol and key necklace for recognition.

4. Pyruvate Dehydrogenase

   • Connects glycolysis to the TCA cycle.
   • Mnemonic: Pirates attacking 'tricycle' symbolizes this connection.

Thiamine Deficiency

Conditions

• Beriberi (Berry diet mnemonic)

  • Dry Beriberi
    • Symptoms: Symmetrical muscle wasting, polyneuropathy.
    • Mnemonic: POW grabbing barbed wire (numbness, wasted muscles).
  • Wet Beriberi
    • Symptoms: Edema, heart failure.
    • Mnemonic: Edematous prisoner with chest pain and car crash (dilated cardiomyopathy).
  • Association with alcoholism (Beer bottles spill)

• Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome

  • Caused by severe thiamine deficiency.
  • Symptoms: Ataxia, ophthalmoplegia, memory loss, personality changes.
  • Mnemonic: Falling alcoholic and darting eyes.
  • Damaged brain region: Mammillary bodies.
  • Mnemonic: Dead mammal bodies signify mammillary body damage.

These notes summarize the critical aspects of thiamine and its clinical significance in enzyme function and deficiency states.