Effect of intravenous infusions of thiamine on the disposition kinetics of thiamine and its pyrophosphate.
BACKGROUND
Thiamine supplementation is necessary in patients with thiamine deficiency syndromes. Experimental evidence suggests that tissue uptake and the elimination of thiamine are dose-dependent.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of different i.v. infusion rates of thiamine on blood concentrations of thiamine and its active metabolite thiamine pyrophosphate (TPP) and on renal excretion of thiamine.


METHODS
Twelve healthy subjects received in a two-period block randomized study 150 mg thiamine intravenously over either 1 or 24 h.


RESULTS
The maximum blood concentrations (Cmax) of thiamine were significantly higher after the more rapid infusion (RI; 2300 ng/mL) than after the slower infusion (SI; 177 ng/mL). The AUC of thiamine was identical after both infusion protocols. There was a slightly (10%) increased AUC of TPP (P < 0.08) after SI, whereas C(max) values were comparable. Urinary excretion of thiamine was significantly decreased from 83.6% of the applied dose after RI to 57.6% after the SI.


CONCLUSIONS
Our data suggest an increased tissue uptake of thiamine when it is given as an SI compared with a RI of the same dose. It is concluded, therefore, that an SI of thiamine may be superior to RI or bolus injections to treat severe deficiency syndromes.
Drewe
J
J
Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Clinic, Kantonsspital Basel and Institute for Clinical Pharmacy, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland. juergen.drewe@unibas.ch
Delco
F
F
Kissel
T
T
Beglinger
C
C
D000328:Adult; D019540:Area Under Curve; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D013831:Thiamine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000652:urine; D013835:Thiamine Pyrophosphate / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D013997:Time Factors
D013835:Thiamine Pyrophosphate; D013831:Thiamine