Question

Which compounds would accumulate in an individual with beriberi

(caused by thiamine deficiency)?

Short answer

In an individual with beriberi, pyruvate and α-ketoglutarate would accumulate.

Step-by-step solution

Definition of Beri Beri:

Beriberi is a disease caused by vitamin B1 (thiamine) deficiency, usually due to chronic alcoholism as ethanol inhibits thiamine uptake.

Accumulation of substrates in the body:

Pyruvate dehydrogenase and alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase act upon pyruvate and alpha-ketoglutarate, respectively. Both these enzymes require thiamine pyrophosphate as a cofactor.In the absence of this cofactor, both the enzymes fail to continue their enzymatic action. As a result, pyruvate and alpha-ketoglutarate, which are substrates for these enzymes, would accumulate in an individual's body in Beriberi illness.

Therefore, in beriberi, pyruvate and α-ketoglutarate would accumulate in the body of the individual.