名古屋学芸大学健康･栄養研究所年報

第4号

2010年

《Original Article》

A study of the distribution range of total thiamine concentrationin the blood of university students
Yuuki Ito＊, Katsumi Yamanaka＊, Hisashi Susaki＊
Motoji Kitagawa＊, Akira Tamura＊ and Akihiro Igata＊
Abstract
Background: Currently, it can be said that there have been striking changes in daily living circumstances andthere are also imbalances in dietary patterns like satiation etc and this in turn causes nutritional imbalance.
Therefore, this time we paid attention to thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency—previously a Japanese national
affliction. And we conducted an accurate condition survey of total thiamine concentration in the blood of
University Students as a means of nutritional assessment.
Method: The subjects were 328 N University School of Nutritional Sciences first year students aged 18-20 (39males, 289 females). We conducted the following tests; —anthropometric measurement, blood examination
including total thiamine levels and a survey using interview sheets relating to diet and thiamine.
Results: The average ± standard deviation of total thiamine concentration in the blood was 42.8±9.5 ng/ml
for males and 39.7±10.2 ng/ml for females and they were nearly within the standard value 21.3~81.9 ng/
ml and there was almost a normal distribution. From this result, the number of individuals who had a lower
concentration level of total thiamine concentration in the blood than the standard value was 5, all of whomwere female. For each anthropometric measurement and blood examination value, the BMI for two out of fivepeople was 18.4, and 17.1 (deemed as lean type) and three out of five people’s bone density was 82%, 80%
and 80% respectively which is lower than the average value for the same age generation.
Conclusion: The value of total thiamine concentration in the blood was almost in normal distribution. The
number of people who had a lower than the standard value of total thiamine concentration was 5, approximately
1.5% of 328 university students. Others were within the standard value.
Key words: thiamine (vitamin B1), university students, blood examination, nutritional status

tive medicine has become a topic of discussion.

Introduction

On the other hand, the interest towards avita-

In recent years, in the middle of a health faddism,

minosis is decreasing, due to the current belief that

there has been increasing interest towards the use

vitamin deficiency has become a problem of theof medical examinations and early discovery of ill-

past. However, in fact, it can be said that there haveness as a form of secondary prevention. In addition,

been striking changes in daily living circumstances

preliminary prevention such as the improvement ofand also in imbalances in dietary patterns e.g. satia-

nutrition and lifestyle habits has also gained muchtion etc. There has also been a prevalence of using

attention and the importance of so-called preventa-

processed food, pre-cooked food and dietary supple-＊ School of Nutritional Sciences, Nagoya University of Arts and Sciences11

ments etc and this causes nutritional imbalance. Asof whom agreed to take part in our research. We

a result, so-called unidentified clinical syndromes

explained the research content in written form andlike fatigue, feeling of general malaise, decrease inreceived certificates of informed consent. This inves-

immunity etc have increased and it has been reported

tigation had the approval of the Nagoya Universitythat there is potential avitaminosis 1).

of Arts and Sciences ethics committee.

Between 1973 and 1976, thiamine deficiency dis-

As an investigation, for anthropometric measure-eases frequently occurred throughout Japan, there

ment, we measured height, weight, BMI, body fat

were many young people among patients at thatpercentage, bone density, and blood pressure. For

time, especially a lot of sports players aged 15-20.

height, weight, body fat percentage, we used Tanita

There was speculation on the background reasons

Corporation’s TBF-210 and for bone density webehind this such as, these individuals had discontin-

used Aloka Corporation’s ultrasonic bone evaluator

ued thiamine enriched white rice, young people were

ALOKA AOS-100, and we estimated each using an

drinking a lot of soft drinks containing a lot of glu-

ultrasonic wave method.
For blood examination, the following were tested;cides, and the young were encouraged to participate
2)

in more sporting activities . After this period, due to—thiamine, white blood cells, red blood cells, he-a familiarization of nutritional knowledge combined

moglobin, hermatocrit, MCV, MCH, MCHC, blood

with an introduction of multi vitamin tablets, the oc-

platelet count, triglycerides (neutral fat), total cho-currence of thiamine deficiency diseases decreased

lesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, total

and it seemed these were temporarily eradicated.

whole protein, albumin, urea nitrogen, uric acid,

However, in the last few years, reports have shown

creatinine, iron, AST, ALT, LDH, ALP, amylase,

an indication that the lack of thiamine in female

blood sugar, HbA1c (glycohemoglobin), γ GTP anduniversity students has been influenced by diet ori-adiponectin. In order to conduct the total thiamine

3)

entation, missing meals and eating out etc . It canconcentration in the blood, we used the HPLCbe said that avitaminosis is making a revival.

method (high-performance liquid chromatography)
and we outsourced to BML.INC.

In this investigation we paid attention to thiamine
deficiency—previously a national affliction in Japan.

For the questionnaire survey concerning diet andAnd our purpose was to conduct an accurate condi-

thiamine, we conducted it by using interview sheets,tion survey of the total thiamine concentration inwhich were completed by the respondents.

the blood among students attending the university

We used the statistical analyzing software SPSS

students as a means of nutritional assessment. Fromver15.0J for Windows for statistical analysis. In or-

this we could acknowledge the accurate conditions

der to examine the difference in average value weof the current potential deficiency conditions andutilized the non-parametric method Mann-Whitneyconsidered the relationship between food intake

U test and we assigned p<0.05 as the significant

conditions, lifestyle habits and physical status etc,

difference.

we could gain basic data concerning future healthy
dietary habits.

Results
Fig. 1 shows the frequency distribution for male

Subjects and method

university students’ total thiamine concentration in

In July 2008 and 2009 on two occasions, subjects

the blood. For 39 subjects the average ± standard

from N University School of Nutritional Sciences

deviation was 42.8±9.5 ng/ml. All subjects were

who were first year students aged 18-20. The num-within the standard value of 21.3~81.9 ng/ml andber of subjects was 328 (39 males, 289 females) all

the distribution was almost normal.

12

A study of the distribution range of total thiamine concentration in the blood of university students

Number15
Mean±SD42.8±9.5 ng/ml
N = 3910
500 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85
Thiamine (ng/ml)
Fig. 1

Histogram of the blood total thiamine level in male students

Number80
Mean±SD39.7±10.2 ng/ml
N = 289

60
40
20
0

0 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85
Thiamine (ng/ml)
Fig. 2 Histogram of the blood total thiamine level in female students

Table 1 Profiles of subjects for total thiamine in blood (low reference values)
Thiamine (ng/ml)
GenderAge
Height (cm)Weight (kg)BMI (kg/m2)%Fat (%)
BMD (YAM%)
SBP (mmHg)
DBP (mmHg)

A
11.4
female
19
149.1
40.9
18.4
19.7
99
82
58

B
16.6
female
19
154.7
56.1
23.4
31.7
82
93
59

C
19.9
female
19
159.5
47.4
18.6
21.7
95
96
66

D
20.8
female
19
155.4
41.4
17.1
16.6
80
86
59

E
21.3
female
19
152.0
48.7
21.1
27.6
80
118
65

BMI: body mass index, %Fat: percent body fat, BMD: bone mineral density, SBP: systolic blood pressure, DBP: diastolic blood pressure

On the other hand Fig. 2 shows the frequency

thiamine concentration in the blood was lower thandistribution for female university students’ total thia-

the standard value. We named these 5 subjects A~E

mine concentration in the blood. For 289 subjects

and Table 1-2 shows each of their anthropometric

the average ± standard deviation was 39.7±10.2 ng/

measurements and blood examination values. From

ml. Within this group 283 were within the standard

the results, we can see that for two out of 5 people’svalue and 6 were outside the standard value. The

BMI was 18.4 and 17.1 (deemed as lean type) anddistribution was almost normal, the same as males.

three out of 5 people’s bone density was 82%, 80%

For females, there were 5 subjects whose total

and 80% respectively which is lower than the aver-13

Table 2 Hematological parameters of subjects for total thiamine in blood (low reference value)
A
5450
406
12.3
38.8
96
30.3
31.7
20.7
84
158
73
77
7.5
4.9
20.0
4.3
0.5
52
20
17
225
197
96
94
5.6
17
17.0

WBC (/mm3)
RBC (104/mm3)
Hgb (g/dl)
Hct (%)MCV (fl)
MCH (pg)
MCHC (%)
PLT (104/mm3)
TG (mg/dl)
T-CHO (mg/dl)
HDL-CHO (mg/dl)
LDL-CHO (mg/dl)
TP (g/dl)
Alb (g/dl)
BUN (mg/dl)
UA (mg/dl)
CRE (mg/dl)
SI (μg/dl)
AST (IU/L)
ALT (IU/L)
LDH (IU/L)
ALP (IU/L)
AMY (IU/L)
Glc (mg/dl)
HbA1c (%)
γ GTP (IU/L)
Adi (μg/mL)

B
3370
402
12.3
37.6
94
30.6
32.7
18.1
47
193
93
80
7
4.5
10.5
3.9
0.6
111
16
10
162
235
107
84
4.8
14
14.6

C
5470
460
14.1
42.9
93
30.7
32.9
24.4
65
202
76
118
7.2
4.8
10.0
4.0
0.7
66
16
13
158
161
118
95
5
20
13.3

D
5200
430
11.4
36.0
84
26.5
31.7
29.1
37
143
60
78
6.7
4.2
10.6
4.8
0.6
37
20
7
139
206
58
90
5.2
8
17.8

E
8990
572
13.0
41.0
72
22.7
31.7
22.1
44
150
71
70
7.7
4.7
10.6
5.6
0.8
112
19
10
176
247
91
94
5.3
17
11.4

WBC: white blood cell, RBC: red blood cell, Hgb: hemoglobin, Hct: hematocrit, MCV: mean corpuscular volume, MCH: mean corpuscular hemoglobin, MCHC: mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, PLT: platelet, TG: triglyceride, T-CHO: total cholesterol, HDL-CHO: high-density lipoproteincholesterol, LDL-CHO: low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, TP: total protein, Alb: albumin, BUN:
blood urea nitrogen, UA: uric acid, CRE: creatine, SI: serum iron, AST: aspartate aminotransferase,
ALT: alanine aminotransferase, LDH: lactate dehydrogenase, ALP: alkaline phosphatase, AMY: amylase, Glc: glucose, HbA1c: hemoglobin A1c, γ GTP: γ -glutamyl transpeptidase, Adi: adiponectin

Table 3

Thiamine (ng/ml)
Height (cm)Weight (kg)BMI (kg/m2)%Fat (%)
BMD (YAM%)
SBP (mmHg)
DBP (mmHg)

Mean of profiles in low and normal thiamine level

Mean±SD
Low thiamine level
Normal thiamine level(n=5)(n=284)18.0 ± 4.1
40.1 ± 9.9
154.1 ± 3.9
158.3 ± 5.4
46.9 ± 6.2
50.7 ± 6.9
19.7 ± 2.5
20.2 ± 2.3
23.5 ± 6.1
24.5 ± 9.3
87.2 ± 9.1
96.1 ± 10.3
95 ± 14107 ± 1161 ± 466 ± 8Significant probability
0.000***
0.079
0.221
0.567
0.687
0.061
0.032*
0.104

BMI: body mass index, %Fat: percent body fat, BMD: bone mineral density, SBP: systolic blood pressure, DBP: diastolic blood pressure* p<0.05 *** p<0.001
The non-parametric method Mann-Whitney U test

14

A study of the distribution range of total thiamine concentration in the blood of university students

Table 4 Mean of hematological parameters in low and normal thiamine level

WBC (/mm3)
RBC (104/mm3)
Hgb (g/dl)
Hct (%)MCV (fl)
MCH (pg)
MCHC (%)
PLT (104/mm3)
TG (mg/dl)
T-CHO (mg/dl)
HDL-CHO (mg/dl)
LDL-CHO (mg/dl)
TP (g/dl)
Alb (g/dl)
BUN (mg/dl)
UA (mg/dl)
CRE (mg/dl)
SI (μg/dl)
AST (IU/L)
ALT (IU/L)
LDH (IU/L)
ALP (IU/L)
AMY (IU/L)
Glc (mg/dl)
HbA1c (%)
γ GTP (IU/L)
Adi (μg/mL)

Mean±SD
Low thiamine level
Normal thiamine level(n=5)(n=284)5696 ± 2038
6179 ± 1429
454 ± 70453 ± 30
12.6 ± 1.0
13.3 ± 1.1
39.3 ± 2.7
40.8 ± 2.8
87.8 ± 10.0
90.3 ± 5.1
28.2 ± 3.5
29.5 ± 2.2
32.1 ± 0.6
32.7 ± 1.1
22.9 ± 4.2
23.5 ± 5.2
55.4 ± 19.0
71.3 ± 36.5
169.2 ± 26.6
174.8 ± 30.5
74.6 ± 11.9
65.0 ± 11.9
84.6 ± 19.0
99.7 ± 26.7
7.2 ± 0.4
7.5 ± 0.3
4.6 ± 0.3
4.6 ± 0.2
12.3 ± 4.3
12.0 ± 2.7
4.5 ± 0.7
4.3 ± 0.8
0.6 ± 0.1
0.6 ± 0.1
75.6 ± 34.3
90.9 ± 39.2
18.2 ± 2.0
17.0 ± 3.7
11.4 ± 3.8
12.2 ± 6.4
172.0 ± 32.4
173.3 ± 24.4
209.2 ± 33.8
196.9 ± 50.7
94.0 ± 22.7
82.2 ± 24.2
91.4 ± 4.6
86.7 ± 7.4
5.2 ± 0.3
5.1 ± 0.2
15.2 ± 4.5
15.4 ± 4.2
14.8 ± 2.6
11.1 ± 4.4

Significant probability
0.415
0.372
0.084
0.177
0.922
0.597
0.085
0.744
0.300
0.666
0.081
0.110
0.128
0.838
0.690
0.543
0.942
0.398
0.157
0.948
0.697
0.367
0.185
0.055
0.368
0.635
0.026*

WBC: white blood cell, RBC: red blood cell, Hgb: hemoglobin, Hct: hematocrit, MCV: mean corpuscular volume, MCH: mean corpuscular hemoglobin, MCHC: mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, PLT: platelet, TG: triglyceride, T-CHO: total cholesterol, HDL-CHO: high-density lipoproteincholesterol, LDL-CHO: low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, TP: total protein, Alb: albumin, BUN:
blood urea nitrogen, UA: uric acid, CRE: creatine, SI: serum iron, AST: aspartate aminotransferase,
ALT: alanine aminotransferase, LDH: lactate dehydrogenase, ALP: alkaline phosphatase, AMY: amylase, Glc: glucose, HbA1c: hemoglobin A1c, γ GTP: γ -glutamyl transpeptidase, Adi: adiponectin* p<0.05
The non-parametric method Mann-Whitney U test

age value (100%) for the same age generation. As athe 5 subjects, who were below the standard value,reference, from the remaining 284 female subjects

was significantly lower than the other female sub-there were 65 subjects (approximately 23% of thejects.

total) with a BMI of below 18.5. There were 77
subjects with a bone density measurement of below

Discussion

80% and 89% (approximately 27% of the total).
In addition, Table 3-4 shows the average ± stan-

Currently, a number of inspection institutes havedard deviation. One table was for 5 subjects whose

agreed that the standard value for the lower limit of

total thiamine concentration in the blood was lower

total thiamine concentration in the blood is underthan the standard value and the other table was for

20 ng/ml, therefore in clinical settings it is rare to

the remaining 284 female subjects. Results showeddiagnose thiamine deficiency. In this investigation,that the average value for systolic blood pressure of

results showed that the number of people who had a15

lower standard value for total thiamine concentration

relationship between thiamine, physical conditionin the blood was 5 which was approximately 1.5%

and lifestyle habits.

of the total for both males and females. However,From now, it is important to know the relation-

conversely, various literature has reported that there

ship between various causes and thiamine nutritional

are people who show symptoms of deficiency dis-status. For instance the influence of carrying out

eases despite their total thiamine concentration in

exercise on thiamine is an issue worth watching.

the blood being within the standard value. Due toThiamine mainly works as a co-enzyme of a carbo-

this, there are some who feel that the standard value

hydrate metabolic enzyme and a deficiency brings

1) 4). As a reference, in thissubjective symptoms like whole body feeling ofinvestigation the number of those lower than 30 ng/

malaise, fatigue, palpitation and shortness of breath

ml was 47 out of 328 males and females which is asetc, so it is an important nutrient for maintaining

much as approximately 14% of the total. From thisbodily functions. It has been said that when we

it is difficult to deny that the potential of thiamine

exercise, energetic metabolism becomes active anddeficiency remains.

this increases the necessary quantity of thiamine andlower limit is 30 ng/ml

In addition, we showed each anthropometric mea-

if there are inadequate levels of thiamine for thesurement and blood examination values of 5 females

consumption of glucose, there can be no smooth

whose total thiamine concentration in the blood wasmetabolism from pyruvic acid to acetyl-CoA. The

lower than the standard value 21.3 ng/ml. Results

increased production of lactic acid from pyruvic acidshowed there were people who showed low values

leads to an accumulation of lactic acid which causes

for BMI and bone density, it could be suggested thatfatigue 6) 7) 8).

there is the possibility that accompanying low values

Currently, the necessary amount of thiamine canfor thiamine concentration in the blood cause low

be determined as a standard of energy/1000kcal 9).

nutrient condition.

When we exercise it is often recommended that we

As well as this, in the questionnaire surveys con-redeem an increased amount of energy intake bycerning diet and thiamine responses showed that all

consuming meals which are well balanced including

five had no habit to intake unpolished (whole) riceincreasing both staple and side dishes 5) however,or brown rice for regular meals. Generally, particu-

experimental data supporting this argument is ex-

lar good sources supplying thiamine are unpolishedtremely low.

5)

rice, brown rice and pork etc . In this investigation,

Conversely, in recent years, the most crucial as-

we indicate that people who have no habit to intake

signment has been preserving elderly people’s healthunpolished rice or brown rice for their everyday

in our upcoming ageing society in Japan. Elderly

meals may have the possibility of lower levels of

people’s lifestyles are extremely varied; there arethiamine concentration.

healthy old people, but also many old people with

Conversely, we compared the average values ofsome type of disease. It has been reported that

5 subjects whose total thiamine concentration inamong elderly people with thiamine deficiency

the blood were lower than the standard value anddiseases, there were many who had the following

the remaining 284 female subjects. Results showed

type of health problems previously. These include,

that, the average value for systolic blood pressure

over-consumption of alcohol (polyposia) and badof the 5 subjects (below the standard value) was

nutrition, diabetes and gastrectomy etc 10) 11).

significantly lower than the other female subjects.

In addition, there has been the problem of elderly

However, we were unable to see any significant fea-

people lacking nutritional intake like vitamins. For

ture common in the subjects which could lead to a

example, it has been reported that for long termlack of thiamine. We need to continuously review the

hospitalized elderly people the intake amount of16

A study of the distribution range of total thiamine concentration in the blood of university students

7)

thiamine was extremely low, and at the same time,

Higuchi M, Tabata I, Yoshitsuru J, et al: Japan Sports
Association 9, 5-8 (1997)

nutritional conditions of thiamine in the blood were8)

extremely bad 12). The cause of this is that the amount

Yamada T, Takahashi T, Muramatsu S: Acute effect of
exercise on thiamine, riboflavin, ascorbic acid metabo-of elderly people’s food intake is low as in whenlism: Japanese Journal of Physical Fitness and Sports

they fail to finish hospital meals etc and this report

Medicine 35, 364 (1986)

says that we need to reconsider the nutritional care9)for elderly hospitalized patients.

10) Akira M, Aoshima S: Assessing the Nutritional Value

As a countermeasure for elderly people’s healthof Vitamin B1 in the Blood of Type 2 Diabetes Patients:
Toyama College 43, 131-136 (2008)

especially lifestyle diseases, we should emphasize11) Kuriyama M, Nakagawa H: Thiamine Deficiency in theprevention rather than care. Among the various types

Aged: The Vitamin Society of Japan 80, 1-5 (2006)of prevention, preliminary prevention which is dis-12) Itokawa Y, Kimura M, Nishino K: Thiamin and Ribofla-sociated from its cause is most effective. And it has

vin Status in Elderly —Effect of Shingle Administration

been considered that diet has the highest impact onof A Multivitamin Preparation—: The Vitamin Society

preliminary prevention. Therefore, having an ad-of Japan 67, 675-679 (1993)

equate intake of minor components like vitamins
etc has become an essential condition to prevent
elderly people’s vitamin deficiency and helps in thepreservation of health.
From this, as of now, it is necessary to investigate
exercise or elderly people’s lack of nutritional intake
etc. We hope that the consideration of general university students’ nutritional conditions of thiaminein this paper will be future basic data.

Reference
1)

Takeda A, Sakano M, Mizoguchi Y, et al: Vitamin B1
Nutritional Status Assessed by Blood Vitamin B1 Valuesof Middle-Aged Japanese Men and Women: Trace Nutrients Research 23, 124-127 (2006)

2)

Arima H, Kuriyama M, Kanehisa S, et al: Japan Medical Journal No.2736, 23-28 (1976)

3)

Hiraoka M, Yasuda K: Study on Nutritional Status ofThiamin and Riboflavin in Female Students —Blood
Thiamin and Riboflavin Levels in Female—: The Vitamin Society of Japan 72, 679-684 (1998)

4)

Takeda A, Suyama T, Suzuki C, et al: Vitamin B1 Nutritional Status Assessed by Blood Vitamin B1 Value of
Middle Aged Japanese Men and Women: The Vitamin
Society of Japan 76, 349-353 (2002)

5)

Barbara A. Bowman and Robert M. Russell: Present
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6)

Ihara H: Modern Physician 27, 1191-1193 (2007)

Hukuwatari T, Shibata K: The Vitamin Society of Japan83, 173 (2009)

17

和文抄録

大学生における全血総ビタミン B1濃度分布範囲の検討
＊

伊藤 勇貴
＊
北川 元二

山中
田村

＊

克己
＊
明

須崎
井形

＊

尚
＊
昭弘

要旨
背景：現在、日常生活環境・習慣の急激な変化や、飽食などによる食生活パターンの顕著な変化と乱れが指摘され、栄養のアンバランスがもたらされている。そこで今回、かつて日本人の国民病とされてきたビタミン B1欠乏に注目し、栄養評価としての大学生の全血総ビタミン B1濃度の実態調査を行った。
方法：N 大学管理栄養学部生 1 年生18～20歳の328名（男性39名、女性289名）を対象とし、身体測定、全血総ビタミン B1を含む血液検査、食生活やビタミン B1に関する問診票による調査を行った。
結果：全血総ビタミン B1濃度の平均値±標準偏差は、男性が42.8±9.5 ng/ml、女性が39.7±10.2 ng/
ml であり、ほぼ基準値21.3～81.9 ng/ml 内で、かつほぼ正規分布していた。このうち全血
総ビタミン B1濃度が基準値以下の者は 5 名であり、いずれも女性であった。それぞれの身体測定値および血液検査値において 5 名中 2 名の BMI が18.4、17.1とやせ型であり、5 名中 3
名の骨密度が同年代の平均値と比べて82％、80％、80％と低い値を示した。
結論：大学生328名において全血総ビタミン B1濃度が基準値以下の者は 5 名（全体の約1.5％）であり、その他はほぼ基準値内で、かつほぼ正規分布していた。
索引用語：ビタミン B1、大学生、血液検査、栄養状態＊名古屋学芸大学大学院

栄養科学研究科18