THIAMINE-DEFICIENCY IN CARDIAC-CELLS IN CULTURE

Rat heart cells in culture were found to be a unique model for studyin g biochemical and pharmacological aspects of thiamine deficiency. When thiamine was excluded from the growth medium, the following effects w ere observed: (1) Morphological examination did not show any differenc e between control and thiamine-deprived cells during the first 10 days . However, alter 10-11 days spontaneous contractions ceased, accompani ed by initiation oi cell degeneration; (2) Intensive degeneration and cell death were observed after 14-16 days. (3) Thiamine pyrophosphate (TPP) concentration in thiamine-deprived cells was decreased gradually , with an elimination hall-life of 4-5 days. (4) [H-3]deoxyglucose upt ake by the cells was increased, even after 1 day oi thiamine deprivati on. (5) ATP level decreased after 8 days and reached 50% of control ce lls after 10 days. (6) In thiamine-deprived cells, thiamine addition c aused a 60% rise in contraction amplitude bur: contraction rate was no t altered significantly. (7) All these effects were reversible ii thia mine was supplied before the initiation of the degeneration processes. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Inc.