Plasma thiamin pyrophosphate and erythrocyte transketolase in chronic alcoholism.

Thiamin status in patients with an alcohol problem was studied before and after intramuscular thiamin hydrochloride. Results for erythrocyte transketolase activity and plasma thiamin pyrophosphate are compared. Plasma thiamin pyrophosphate values for healthy human subjects are reported for the first time. Advantages of plasma thiamin pyrophosphate in the assessment of thiamin status of patients are discussed.