oxythiamine

**Oxythiamine** is a chemical analog of vitamin B1 (thiamine) that functions as a thiamine antagonist and antimetabolite. It is enzymatically converted into oxythiamine pyrophosphate (OTP), which acts as a competitive inhibitor of thiamine pyrophosphate-dependent enzymes, primarily transketolase, pyruvate dehydrogenase complex, and 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase complex. Inhibition of these enzymes disrupts essential metabolic pathways such as the pentose phosphate pathway, reducing ribose-5-phosphate and NADPH production, thereby inhibiting nucleotide synthesis and cell proliferation. Oxythiamine exhibits selective antiproliferative and proapoptotic activity in rapidly dividing cells, particularly tumor cells. It is widely used as a research tool for inducing thiamine deficiency, investigating metabolic pathways, and exploring potential antitumor, antimicrobial, antiviral, antiparasitic, and immunomodulatory applications. Currently, its use is mainly experimental and preclinical, with case reports and in vitro/in vivo studies in oncology, infectious disease, and metabolic research[1][3][4][5][6][7][9].

Other names

oxythiaminehydroxythiamin136-16-3