TPP Full Form

Thiamin, also known as vitamin B1, is the first identified form of vitamin B. The three forms of vitamin B1 present in the cells are Free Thiamine, TMP (Thiamine monophosphate) and TPP (Thiamin pyrophosphate). Thiamin pyrophosphate is required for many metabolic activities such as the Krebs cycle, amino acid biosynthesis, acetyl-CoA biosynthesis, and Calvin cycle. Vitamin B1 is a water-soluble and colourless vitamin produced only by microorganisms and plants and is an essential micronutrient for humans. 

Other full forms of TPP

Some other full forms of TPP are:

• Tri-Phenyl Phosphoramide in Chemistry
• Thermal Power Plant in Physics
• Transaction Processing Performance in computing
• Trans-Pacific Partnership in International Affairs 

History of Thiamine

Thiamin was earlier known as ‘Aneurine’, a component that can relieve neuritis, by Willem Fredrick Donath and Barend Coenraad Petrus Jansen, the two German biochemists. It was also named as ‘anti-beriberi factor’. Thiamin was isolated by Batavia, who named it Thiamin. The structure of Thiamin was explained by Robert Runnels Williams, who also described how Thiamin could be synthesized without the living cells and named the component Thiamin. 

Structure of Thiamin pyrophosphate

The Thiamin molecule is made up of thiazolium(  4-methyl-5-(2-hydroxyethyl)) and pyrimidine(4-amino-2-methyl pyrimidine) rings. The rinds are lined by Methylene Bridge between the N3 nitrogen atom present in the thiazolium ring and the C3 atom present in the pyrimidine ring. 

Role of TPP in Plants

Thiamin is present in different parts of the plant, including leaves, fruits, flowers, tubers, roots, seeds, and bulbs. Thiamin pyrophosphate is needed for essential metabolic activities in plants. Thiamin is an important cofactor that regulates primary regulatory system of plants. 

Role of TPP in Animals 

Thiamin pyrophosphate is available in different food items, including meat, whole grains, nuts, potatoes, legumes, sunflower seeds, yeast, and enriched cereals. The important functions of Thiamine pyrophosphate (TPP) are:

• Essential for growth and development
• Essential for metabolism of fat, carbohydrate, and glucose 
• Plays a crucial role in the proper functioning of the peripheral and central nerve cells
• Proper functioning of the myocardium, the heart muscles

Absorption, transportation and storage of TPP (Thiamin pyrophosphate)

Thiamin pyrophosphate is absorbed from the small intestine and distributed to the different parts of the body. TPP is stored in a very small amount in the body too for a short time. The kidneys, liver, and heart have a higher concentration of Thiamin pyrophosphate. The excess amount of TPP is thrown out of the body through urine, and a small amount of TPP is used in the metabolism activities of the body. 

Deficiency of TPP in animals 

Deficiency of Thiamin pyrophosphate can happen due to various reasons. 

Causes of primary TPP deficiency

The main reason for the primary TPP deficiency is the insufficient intake of Thiamin pyrophosphate. It can happen due to the consumption of refined carbohydrates such as white flour, polished rice, and white sugar). It can happen in young adults who suffer from severe anorexia. 

Causes of secondary TPP deficiency 

It could happen due to improper absorption (when the patient is suffering from diarrhoea for a long time), increased demand (for pregnant and lactating women, hypertension, fever, or strenuous exercises), or improper metabolism (liver problem). Thiamin pyrophosphate deficiency is common in alcoholic people. 

Effects of TPP deficiency

The deficiency of TPP causes many functional abnormalities in the body. 

• Degeneration of peripheral nerves, cerebellum, and thalamus
• Dilation of the heart, swelling and fragmentation of muscle fibres and deposition of fluids leads to oedema of the legs and feet. It may result in heart failure

Thiamin deficiency can cause wet and dry beriberi. 

Symptoms of TPP deficiency

The early symptoms and signs of Thiamin deficiency are poor memory, anorexia, fatigue, disturbed sleep, abdominal discomfort and irritability. 

Dry beriberi has symptoms- muscles cramps and pain in the legs, burning in the feet, tenderness of calf muscles etc. The symptoms of wet beriberi are tachycardia, warm skin, sweating and lactic acidosis. 

Thiamin pyrophosphate as nutritional supplement

Thiamin pyrophosphate or TPP is an important nutritional supplement that can be given orally, IM (intramuscularly), and intravenously (IV). This supplement is used to treat wet or dry beriberi. It is also used to treat heart failure, peripheral neuropathy, and Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome.  The need of Thiamin pyrophosphate increases when the person is suffering from mal-absorption, liver disease, small intestinal diseases, alcoholism, and congenital metabolic dysfunction. 

Thiamin is also needed during the lactating period and pregnancy. Thiamin pyrophosphate is also needed to treat Alzheimer’s disease. 

Conclusion

Thiamin pyrophosphate, also known as Thiamin diphosphate, works as a cofactor for a number of enzymes including α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase, trnasketolase, and pyruvate dehydrogenase. Thiamin is available in different types of foods. It is required in very small amount for the proper functioning of various metabolic activities of both humans and plants. Its deficiency in humans causes a disease called beriberi. Thiamin is also used as diet supplement or drug to treat many vascular system diseases and neurodegenerative diseases.