Hypothesis on cellular ATP depletion and adenosine release as causes of heart failure and vasodilatation in cardiovascular beriberi

Med Hypotheses. 1995 Sep;45(3):265-7. doi: 10.1016/0306-9877(95)90115-9.

Abstract

Cardiovascular beriberi is a syndrome caused by thiamine deficiency and characterized by systemic vasodilatation, heart failure and lactic acidosis. The occurrence of heart failure and vasodilatation is yet unexplained: neither theoretical nor experimental data are known. In this article, it is suggested that a fall of cellular ATP levels causes heart failure and that the release of adenosine is the cause of vasodilatation.

MeSH terms

  • Acetyl Coenzyme A / metabolism*
  • Acidosis, Lactic / etiology
  • Acidosis, Lactic / metabolism
  • Adenosine / metabolism*
  • Adenosine Triphosphate / metabolism*
  • Beriberi / complications*
  • Beriberi / metabolism
  • Ethanol / pharmacology
  • Heart Failure / etiology*
  • Heart Failure / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Ketoglutarate Dehydrogenase Complex / deficiency
  • Ketoglutarate Dehydrogenase Complex / physiology*
  • Models, Biological
  • Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Complex Deficiency Disease / etiology*
  • Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Complex Deficiency Disease / metabolism
  • Thiamine / physiology*
  • Vasodilation / physiology*

Substances

  • Ethanol
  • Acetyl Coenzyme A
  • Adenosine Triphosphate
  • Ketoglutarate Dehydrogenase Complex
  • Adenosine
  • Thiamine