C-PARA

Thiamine pyrophosphate (TPP), the coenzymatic form of thiamine, is involved in two main types of metabolic reactions: decarboxylation of α-ketoacids (e.g. pyruvate, α-ketoglutarate and branched-chain keto acids) and transketolation (e.g. among hexose and pentose phosphates). Therefore, the principal physiological role of thiamine is as a coenzyme in carbohydrate metabolism, where TPP is required for several stages in the breakdown of glucose to provide energy.

Ascorbic acid, coupled with dehydroascorbic acid to which it is reversibly oxidised, has a variety of functions in cellular oxidation processes. Ascorbic acid is required in several important hydroxylations, including the conversion of proline to hydroxyproline and appears to have an important role in metal ion metabolism, including the gastrointestinal absorption of iron and its transport between plasma and storage organs.