title: [Erythrocyte transketolases and Alzheimer disease].
abstract: Abnormalities of thiamin metabolism have been reported in senile dementia of Alzheimer's type (SDAT). Transketolases (TK) were studied in 21 patients with SDAT, 24 age-matched controls and 12 chronic alcoholics. Erythrocytes were assessed for their TK activity coefficient (TK-AC, normal value 8.4 +/- 12.6%) and affinity for thaimin pyrophosphate (Km TPP, normal value 17.8 +/- 8.3 mumol). Comparison between study groups and controls demonstrated increased TK-AC in SDAT (16.6 +/- 15.7%, P < 0.05) and chronic alcoholism (43.4 +/- 40.6%, P < 0.05), and increased Km TPP (38.3 +/- 25.2 mumol, P < 0.01) in SDAT only. These findings suggest structural abnormalities of TK rather than vitamin B1 deficiency in SDAT.
authors.affiliation: Service de rhumatologie et médecine gériatrique, hôpital Georges-Clémenceau, Toulon, France.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Eisinger
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Arroyo
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Braquet
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Arroyo
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ayavou
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000097:blood / Q000201:enzymology; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000201:enzymology*; D004789:Enzyme Activation; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000201:enzymology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013835:Thiamine Pyrophosphate / Q000378:metabolism; D014174:Transketolase / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D014174:Transketolase; D013835:Thiamine Pyrophosphate
vernacular_title: Transcétolases érythrocytaires et maladie d'Alzheimer.