Impairment of acetylcholine synthesis in thiamine deficient rats developed by prolonged tea consumption

• Main Authors: Pintip Ruenwongsa, Supakorn Pattanavibag
• Other Authors: Mahidol University
• Format: Article
• Published: 2018
• Subjects: Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics
• Online Access: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/30709

The synthesis of whole brain acetylcholine is reduced in thiamine deficient rats produced by prolonged administration of tea. In those rats fed a normal diet and given tea (1:50, w/v) instead of drinking water for 20 weeks, the conversion of [14C] pyruvate to [14C] acetylcholine decreased by 35%. However, no neurological symptoms were observed. Administration of tea to rats fed a thiamine half-deficient diet for 7-8 weeks caused not only 60% decrease in acetylcholine synthesis but also neurological symptoms. This decreased synthesis of acetylcholine is related to a decline in pyruvate dehydrogenase activity. The results suggest that prolonged administration of tea to rats cause an impairment of acetyl CoA production resulting in a deficit in acetylcholine synthesizing capacity. © 1984.