[Vitamin B1 resorption. IV. Level of sulfhydryl groups in intestinal mucosa resorption of 35S-thiamine].

Studies have been carried on with the aim of investigating the effect of SH-groups on the absorption of 35S-thiamine in chicken's duodenum. The trial has been performed in chickens aged 56 days; as SH-groups releasing agents L-cysteine and SH-glutathion have been utilized; urea has been used in order to release SH-groups from protein molecules. The absorption of 35S-thiamine in duodenum is significantly increased in the presence of L-cysteine, SH-glutathion and urea. 35S-thiamine appears to be stored in the intestinal mucosa more conspicuously in the presence of urea. Concomitanly with the high levels of SH-groups in the duodenal mucosa, also the thiamine absorption results to be increased (P less than 0.001).