Studies on the metabolism of pyruvic acid in normal and vitamin B1-deficient states

SiNCE the appearance of the Meyerhof-Embden scheme pyruvic acid is known to be a normal intermediate metabolite of the carbohydrate breakdown of mammalian tissues, of yeast fermentation and of the respiration of higher plants. It is involved in the metabolism of embryos, bacteria and tumour tissues, and in the action of hormones and vitamins. It also forms a link between the metabolism of carbohydrate and amino-acids. For the study of pyruvate metabolism in man with relation to vitamin B1-deficiency, however, a really suitable method has not hitherto been available.