Erythrocyte transketolase deficiency in patients suffering from Crohn's disease

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Nutritional Science
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Crohn's disease (CD) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease.
• Nutritional deficiencies are common in CD patients, impacting disease activity.
• The role of vitamin B1 (thiamine) in CD exacerbation requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the potential association between vitamin B1 deficiency and the exacerbation of Crohn's disease in adult patients.
• To assess vitamin B1 status in CD patients with varying disease activity levels.

Main Methods:

• Included 49 adult CD patients with diverse disease activity (Crohn's Disease Activity Index - CDAI).
• Assessed anthropometrical and biochemical markers, including high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP).
• Measured erythrocyte transketolase activity (TK) using spectrophotometry, calculating normalized transketolase activity ratio (NTKZ) and percentage of activation with thiamine pyrophosphate (%TPP).

Main Results:

• CD patients exhibited a poor nutritional status, with mean BMI near the 18.5 kg/m2 cut-off.
• Moderate-to-severe active CD patients showed significantly higher CDAI and hsCRP levels compared to those in remission or mild activity.
• Statistically significant differences in NTKZ and %TPP levels were observed, indicating vitamin B1 deficiency in moderate-to-severe active CD patients.

Conclusions:

• Vitamin B1 deficiency is a component of the clinical manifestation in moderate-to-severe active Crohn's disease.
• These findings highlight the importance of assessing vitamin B1 status in CD management.