Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Dehydroascorbic Acid”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 649 records · Page 36Linked to original sources

Regulatory properties of a fructose 1,6-bisphosphatase from the cyanobacterium Anacystis nidulans.

A fructose 1,6-bisphosphatase (EC 3.1.3.11) (FBPase) was purified over 100-fold from Anacystis nidulans. At variance with a previous report (R. H. Bishop, Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 196:295-300, 1979), the regulatory properties of the enzyme were found to be like those of chloroplast enzymes rather than intermediate between chloroplast (photosynthetic) and heterotrophic FBPases. The pH optimum of Anacystis FBPase was between 8.0 and 8.5 and shifted to lower values with increasing Mg2+ concentration. Under the experimental conditions used by Bishop, we found the saturation curve of the enzyme to be sigmoidal for Mg2+ ions and hyperbolic for fructose 1,6-bisphosphate. The half-maximal velocity of the Anacystis FBPase was reached at concentrations of 5 mM MgCl2 and 0.06 mM fructose 1,6-bisphosphate. AMP did not inhibit the enzyme. The activity of the FBPase was found to be under a delicate control of oxidizing and reducing conditions. Oxidants like O2, H2O2, oxidized glutathione, and dehydroascorbic acid decreased the enzyme activity, whereas reductants like dithiothreitol and reduced glutathione increased it. The oxido-reductive modulation of FBPase proved to be reversible. Reduced glutathione stimulated the enzyme activity at physiological concentrations (1 to 10 mM).l The reduced glutathione-induced activation was higher at pH 8.0 than at pH 7.0.

Cyanobacteria↗

Low plasma ascorbate levels in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus consuming adequate dietary vitamin C.

Low ascorbate concentrations in diabetes may be secondary to inadequate dietary vitamin C intake or may relate to the varied metabolic roles of the vitamin. To determine whether inadequate dietary intake is a factor we calculated daily vitamin C intakes using both a vitamin C questionnaire and a 4-day food diary in a group of 30 patients with Type 2 diabetes (mean age 68.8 +/- 6.9 yr, 17M/13F) and in 30 community controls (mean age 68.0 +/- 5.5 yr, 12M/18F)). Measures of plasma glucose, serum fructosamine, and plasma ascorbic and dehydroascorbic acid were obtained from 20 subjects in each group. There was no significant difference in daily vitamin C intake between the two groups using both methods: food diary, 61.4 +/- 28.3 (patients) vs 69.5 +/- 33.4 (controls) mg; questionnaire, 54.0 +/- 28.9 (patients) vs 65.0 +/- 30.9 (controls) mg. Vitamin C intake derived from both methods was significantly correlated (p < 0.001). Plasma ascorbate (30.4 +/- 19.1 mumol l-1) and dehydroascorbate (27.6 +/- 6.4 mumol l-1) levels were significantly lower in patients vs in controls (68.8 +/- 36.0 and 31.8 +/- 4.8 mumol l-1, respectively), p < 0.0001 and p < 0.01. Plasma ascorbate levels were significantly correlated with vitamin C intake derived from the food diary (p < 0.01) and questionnaire (p < 0.01) methods in the diabetic group only. Low ascorbate levels in diabetes appears to be a consequence of the disease itself and not due to inadequate dietary intake of vitamin C. A short vitamin C questionnaire is a convenient and reliable estimate of vitamin C intake.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aged↗

Expression of superoxide dismutase in hyperglycemic focal cerebral ischemia in the rat.

This study investigated the possibility that hyperglycemia induces early expression of various superoxide dismutases (SOD) and nitric oxide synthases (NOS) following focal cerebral ischemia in the rat. MnSOD, CuZnSOD, nNOS and eNOS mRNA and protein expression were examined 3 h after permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion under acute hyperglycemic or normoglycemic conditions. 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) treatment post-mortem revealed a significant area at risk of infarction following ischemia in hyperglycemic compared to normoglycemic rats. Although no changes in MnSOD, CuZnSOD, nNOS and eNOS mRNA expression were detected, Western blots of ischemic cortex revealed an increase in MnSOD and CuZnSOD protein expression in hyperglycemic compared to normoglycemic rats. Pre-treatment of hyperglycemic rats with the NOS inhibitors L-nitroarginine methyl ester (L-NAME) and 7-nitroindazole (7-NI) or dehydroascorbic acid (DHA), a superoxide scavenger, significantly reduced the TTC delineated zone. The hyperglycemia-induced post-transcriptional upregulation of MnSOD and CuZnSOD levels suggest a response to increased superoxide production which, in the presence of increased nitric oxide production, may play a major role in the increased risk of damage following hyperglycemic stroke.

Actins↗

The p38 pathway partially mediates caspase-3 activation induced by reactive oxygen species in Fanconi anemia C cells.

Because Fanconi anemia (FA) cells display hypersensitivity to oxidative stress and reactive oxygen species (ROS) that act as second messengers in cellular signaling, we investigated c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation in two FA-C lymphocyte cell lines (HSC536/N and PD149L) and one FA-A cell line (HSC99) exposed to interferon (IFN)-gamma or H2O2. IFN-gamma induced accumulation of ROS and activation of JNK and p38 in HSC536/N and PD149L but not in HSC99 cells. Higher concentrations of H2O2 were needed to induce moderate intracellular levels of ROS and phosphorylation of MAPKs in FA-A than in FA-C cells. Pre-incubation with dehydroascorbic acid resulted in reduced intracellular ROS levels and inhibition of MAPK activation induced by the above treatments. To define the functional role of JNK and p38 in IFN-gamma signaling, the effects of pharmacological inhibition of the MAPKs on induction of IFN-gamma and anti-Fas antibody responses were determined. Treatment of HSC536/N cells with p38-specific inhibitors partially inhibited caspase-3 activation while pre-incubation with specific inhibitors of JNK had no effect. Altogether, these results suggest that FA-C cells are hypersensitive to IFN-gamma and are more sensitive to oxidative stress than FA-A cells and that IFN-gamma and anti-Fas antibody mediate signals for apoptosis in FA-C cells via p38 but not JNK pathways.

Caspase 3↗

Modulation of vasopressin action by reducing agents in Bufo marinus.

The effects of the reducing agent dithiothreitol (DTT) on vasopressin (AVP)-stimulated osmotic water flow and adenylate cyclase activity were studied in the urinary bladder of Bufo marinus. DTT produced concentration-dependent inhibition of the hydroosmotic water permeability response to 10 mU/ml AVP and 10 mM theophylline but did not inhibit the response to 10 mM adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP). The inhibitory effects of DTT on AVP responsiveness were partially reversed by washing in DTT-free Ringer solution or by addition of oxidizing agents such as dehydroascorbic acid (DHA) or H2O2. The inhibitory effects of DTT were completely reversed by washing in DTT-free Ringer plus addition of DHA. In addition, the inhibitory effects of DTT on AVP-induced osmotic water flow were partially reversed by the GTP analogue 5'-guanylyl imidodiphosphate [Gpp(NH)p]. DTT also inhibited the adenylate cyclase response to AVP but did not alter the response to AVP plus Gpp(NH)p or the response to NaF. These observations suggest that the inhibitory effect of thiol compounds on AVP responsiveness may be modulated through alterations of a redox system distal to the hormone receptor but proximal to the catalytic subunit of adenylate cyclase. Inasmuch as Gpp(NH)p partially reversed the inhibitory effects of DTT on AVP-stimulated osmotic water permeability and prevented the inhibitory effect of DTT on AVP-stimulated adenylate cyclase, an effect on either GTPase or binding of GTP to the regulatory protein of adenylate cyclase is suggested by these observations.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗

Determination of L-ascorbic acid and total ascorbic acid in vascular and nonvascular plants by capillary zone electrophoresis.

A capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) procedure for the determination of l-ascorbic acid (AA) and total ascorbic acid (TAA, as the sum of AA and dehydroascorbic acid) in vascular plants, lichens, bryophytes, and liverworts is described. The samples were frozen in liquid nitrogen and extracted with 2% metaphosphoric acid. To determine AA, an aliquot was directly injected in a fused-silica capillary. The determination of TAA was performed upon its reduction with dl-homocysteine at pH 7. The background electrolyte contained 60 mM sodium chloride, 60 mM sodium dihydrogen phosphate, 1 x 10(-4)% hexadimetrine bromide, and NaOH up to pH 7. The procedure was rapid and highly reproducible; the limit of detection was 0.2 microg ml-1, which corresponded to 0.4 mg/100 g of sample. The method was validated by comparison with an enzymatic assay. While the enzymatic assay failed to quantify AA in some plants owing to strong background UV absorption, CZE was successful in all the extracts assayed.

Ascorbic Acid↗

Stability of ascorbic acid in a standard total parenteral nutrition mixture.

We investigated the stability of ascorbic acid (AA) and the sum of AA plus dehydroascorbic acid (TAA) in a total parenteral nutrition (TPN) mixture that contained 1000 ml Vamin 14, 1000 ml glucose 30%, 500 ml Intralipid 20%, potassium phosphate, a multivitamin preparation (Cernevit) and trace elements. We used a spectrophotometer to measure AA and TAA. AA decreased from 42.2 (+/-0.9) mug/ml to 6.8 (+/-0.2) mug/ml in 7 days. Over the same time the concentration of TAA decreased from 42.2 (+/-0.5) mug/ml to 35.9 (+/-0.6) mug/ml, i.e. 63.3 (+/-1.2)% of the original concentration. When the solution was stored in glass bottles and saturated with nitrogen or when trace elements were omitted, the concentration decreased by only 25.2 (+/-0.2)% and 23.8 (+/-1.6)% respectively over 7 days. The influence of oxygen, lipids, trace elements and underfilling the bag was also investigated. We conclude that it is acceptable to prepare these bags in advance and to store them for 7 days at 2-4 degrees C.

Journal Article↗

Apoptosis-inducing activity of vitamin C and vitamin K.

Apoptosis-inducing activity of vitamins C and K and of their analogs are reviewed. Vitamin C shows both reducing and oxidizing activities, depending on the environment in which this vitamin is present. Higher concentrations of vitamin C induce apoptotic cell death in various tumor cell lines including oral squamous cell carcinoma and salivary gland tumor cell lines, possibly via its prooxidant action. The apoptosis-inducing activity of ascorbate is stimulated by Cu2+, lignin and ion chelator, and inhibited by catalase, Fe3+, Co2+ and saliva. On the other hand, at lower concentrations, ascorbic acid displays an antioxidant property, preventing the spontaneous and stress or antitumor agent-induced apoptosis. Sodium 5,6-benzylidene-L-ascorbate, intravenous administration of which induces degeneration of human inoperable tumors and rat hepatocellular carcinoma in vivo, induces apoptotic or non-apoptotic cell death, depending on the types of target cells. On the other hand, elevation of intracellular concentration of ascorbic acid by treatment with ascorbate 2-phosphate or dehydroascorbic acid makes the cells resistant to the oxidative stress-induced apoptosis. Vitamin K2, which has a geranylgeranyl group as a side chain,and vitamin K3 induces apoptosis of various cultured cells including osteoclasts and osteoblasts, by elevating peroxide and superoxide radicals. Synergistic apoptosis-inducing actions have been found between vitamins C and K, and between these vitamins and antiproliferative agents. The possible therapeutic application of these vitamins is discussed.

Animals↗

Purification and characterization of glutathione-dependent dehydroascorbate reductase from rat liver.

GSH-dependent enzymic reduction of dehydroascorbic acid to ascorbic acid has been studied in rat liver cytosol. After gel filtration of cytosol on Sephadex G-100 SF, dehydroascorbate reductase activity was recovered in two distinct peaks, one corresponding to glutaredoxin (an enzyme already known for its dehydroascorbate reductase activity) and another, much larger one, corresponding to a novel enzyme different from glutaredoxin. The latter was purified to apparent homogeneity. The purification process involved (NH4)2SO4 fractionation, followed by DEAE-Sepharose, Sephadex G-100 SF and Reactive Red chromatography. SDS/PAGE of the purified enzyme in either the presence or absence of 2-mercaptoethanol demonstrated a single protein band of M(r) 31,000. The M(r) determined by both Sephadex G-100 SF chromatography and h.p.l.c. was found to be approx. 48,000. H.p.l.c. of the denatured enzyme gave an M(r) value identical with that obtained by SDS/PAGE (31,000). The apparent Km for dehydroascorbate was 245 microM and the Vmax. was 1.9 mumol/min per mg of protein; for GSH they were 2.8 mM and 4.5 mumol/min per mg of protein respectively. The optimal pH range was 7.5-8.0. Microsequence analysis of the electro-transferred enzyme band showed that the N-terminus is blocked. Data on internal primary structure were obtained from CNBr-and N-chlorosuccinimide-derived fragments. No significative sequence similarity was found to any of the protein sequences contained in the Protein Identification Resource database.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The catalytic mechanism of the glutathione-dependent dehydroascorbate reductase activity of thioltransferase (glutaredoxin).

The catalytic mechanism of the glutathione (GSH)-dependent dehydroascorbic acid (DHA) reductase activity of recombinant pig liver thioltransferase (RPLTT) was investigated. RPLTT and the C25S mutant protein had equivalent specificity constants (kcat/Km) for both DHA and GSH. Iodoacetamide (IAM) inactivated the DHA reductase activities of RPLTT and C25S, confirming the essential role of cysteine in the reaction mechanism. When preincubated with DHA, RPLTT but not C25S was protected against IAM inactivation, suggesting that RPLTT has the ability to chemically reduce DHA forming ascorbic acid (AA) and the intramolecular disulfide form of the enzyme. Electrochemical detection of AA demonstrated the ability of both reduced RPLTT and C25S to chemically reduce DHA to AA in the absence of GSH. However, RPLTT had an initial rate of DHA reduction which was 4-fold greater than that of C25S, and after 10 min, RPLTT resulted in an AA concentration 11-fold greater than that of C25S. Isoelectric focusing analysis revealed that the product of reaction of reduced RPLTT but not C25S with DHA was consistent with the oxidized form of the enzyme. This result suggested that even though both RPLTT and the C25S mutant had equivalent specificity constants for DHA and GSH, they may have different catalytic mechanisms. On the basis of the experimental results, a catalytic mechanism for the DHA reductase activity of RPLTT is proposed. This is the first description of a catalytic mechanism of a glutathione:dehydroascorbate oxidoreductase (EC 1.8.5.1).

Animals↗

Oxygen-dependent chemical tumorigenesis in a Nicotiana hybrid: inhibition by ascorbic acid and dinitrophenol.

Aqueous solutions of molecular oxygen, per se, or in combination with either pyrogallol or 6-azauracil increased tumorigenesis in Nicotiana suaveolens X Nicotiana langsdorffii seedlings relative to control seedlings. The biological activities of the organic chemicals were O2-dependent, because the substitution of N2 or O2 or the degassing of 0.1-1 mM solutions of the compounds eliminated or greatly reduced their tumorigenic effects. Rates of tumorigenesis exceeded 95% for 0.5 mM solutions of either pyrogallol or 6-azauracil solutions in the presence of l mM O2. Although tumors developed in 20% of seedlings in the presence of 1 mM O2, alone, 4-5 times more tumors were induced by the organic chemical--O2-H2O systems. Dinitrophenol and ascorbic acid, compounds which affect cellular respiration or redox systems, strongly inhibited the chemically-mediated tumorigenesis. Dinitrophenol was equally effective at one-tenth of the molar concentrations of ascorbic acid that were required for the suppressions of oncogenesis. Dehydroascorbic acid was much less inhibitory than ascorbic acid.

Ascorbic Acid↗

Layer-by-layer construction of enzyme multilayers on an electrode for the preparation of glucose and lactate sensors: elimination of ascorbate interference by means of an ascorbate oxidase multilayer.

A layer-by-layer structure of enzyme multilayers composed of glucose oxidase (GOx) or lactate oxidase (LOx) and ascorbate oxidase (AOx) was prepared on the surface of a platinum electrode. The amperometric response to glucose or lactate was studied in the presence of ascorbic acid as a possible interference. An alternating and repeated deposition of avidin and the biotin-labeled enzymes resulted in the layer-by-layer structure of GOx/AOx and LOx/AOx multilayers. Optical and gravimetric measurements based on an ultraviolet-visible absorption spectroscopy and a quartz crystal microbalance revealed that the enzyme multilayers thus prepared consist of monomolecular layers of the proteins. The GOx/AOx and LOx/AOx enzyme multilayers were useful to eliminate ascorbic acid interference in the glucose and lactate biosensors, because ascorbic acid can be converted to an electrochemically inert form, dehydroascorbic acid, before being oxidized directly on the Pt electrode. Thus, the GOx/AOx or LOx/AOx multilayer-modified biosensors can be used to determine the normal blood level of glucose (5 mM) and lactate (1 mM) in the presence of a physiological level of ascorbic acid (0.1 mM). The effects of the number of the AOx layers and geometry of the enzyme layers in the multilayer on the performance characteristics of the biosensors are discussed.

Ascorbate Oxidase↗

NMR analytical approach to clarify the molecular mechanisms of the antioxidative and radical-scavenging activities of antioxidants in tea using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl.

(+)-catechin, ethyl gallate, ascorbic acid, and alpha-tocopherol were reacted with 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and the reaction mixtures were subjected to 13C-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analyses to clarify the molecular mechanisms of the antioxidative and radical-scavenging activities of each antioxidant. When ascorbic acid was reacted with DPPH, it was oxidized to dehydroascorbic acid by DPPH. When a mixture of ascorbic acid and (+)-catechin was reacted with DPPH, ascorbic acid scavenged DPPH radical faster than (+)-catechin. Ascorbic acid also scavenged DPPH radical faster than ethyl gallate and alpha-tocopherol. When (+)-catechin was reacted with DPPH, the B-ring of (+)-catechin changed to an o-quinone structure. However, it was reduced to (+)-catechin by ethyl gallate or alpha-tocopherol. alpha-Tocopherol and ethyl gallate had almost identical antioxidative activities. Therefore, the order of radical-scavenging ability (speed) suggested by our 13C NMR study was as follows: ascorbic acid > alpha-tocopherol = ethyl gallate > (+)-catechin.

Antioxidants↗

Final report of the safety assessment of L-Ascorbic Acid, Calcium Ascorbate, Magnesium Ascorbate, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Sodium Ascorbate, and Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate as used in cosmetics.

L-Ascorbic Acid, Calcium Ascorbate, Magnesium Ascorbate, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Sodium Ascorbate, and Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate function in cosmetic formulations primarily as antioxidants. Ascorbic Acid is commonly called Vitamin C. Ascorbic Acid is used as an antioxidant and pH adjuster in a large variety of cosmetic formulations, over 3/4 of which were hair dyes and colors at concentrations between 0.3% and 0.6%. For other uses, the reported concentrations were either very low (<0.01%) or in the 5% to 10% range. Calcium Ascorbate and Magnesium Ascorbate are described as antioxidants and skin conditioning agents--miscellaneous for use in cosmetics, but are not currently used. Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate functions as an antioxidant in cosmetic products and is used at concentrations ranging from 0.01% to 3%. Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate functions as an antioxidant in cosmetics and was reported being used at concentrations from 0.001% to 3%. Sodium Ascorbate also functions as an antioxidant in cosmetics at concentrations from 0.0003% to 0.3%. Related ingredients (Ascorbyl Palmitate, Ascorbyl Dipalmitate, Ascorbyl Stearate, Erythorbic Acid, and Sodium Erythorbate) have been previously reviewed by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel and found "to be safe for use as cosmetic ingredients in the present practices of good use." Ascorbic Acid is a generally recognized as safe (GRAS) substance for use as a chemical preservative in foods and as a nutrient and/or dietary supplement. Calcium Ascorbate and Sodium Ascorbate are listed as GRAS substances for use as chemical preservatives. L-Ascorbic Acid is readily and reversibly oxidized to L-dehydroascorbic acid and both forms exist in equilibrium in the body. Permeation rates of Ascorbic Acid through whole and stripped mouse skin were 3.43 +/- 0.74 microg/cm(2)/h and 33.2 +/- 5.2 microg/cm(2)/h. Acute oral and parenteral studies in mice, rats, rabbits, guinea pigs, dogs, and cats demonstrated little toxicity. Ascorbic Acid and Sodium Ascorbate acted as a nitrosation inhibitor in several food and cosmetic product studies. No compound-related clinical signs or gross or microscopic pathological effects were observed in either mice, rats, or guinea pigs in short-term studies. Male guinea pigs fed a control basal diet and given up to 250 mg Ascorbic Acid orally for 20 weeks had similar hemoglobin, blood glucose, serum iron, liver iron, and liver glycogen levels compared to control values. Male and female F344/N rats and B6C3F(1) mice were fed diets containing up to 100,000 ppm Ascorbic Acid for 13 weeks with little toxicity. Chronic Ascorbic Acid feeding studies showed toxic effects at dosages above 25 mg/kg body weight (bw) in rats and guinea pigs. Groups of male and female rats given daily doses up to 2000 mg/kg bw Ascorbic Acid for 2 years had no macro- or microscopically detectable toxic lesions. Mice given Ascorbic Acid subcutaneous and intravenous daily doses (500 to 1000 mg/kg bw) for 7 days had no changes in appetite, weight gain, and general behavior; and histological examination of various organs showed no changes. Ascorbic Acid was a photoprotectant when applied to mice and pig skin before exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. The inhibition of UV-induced suppression of contact hypersensitivity was also noted. Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate administration immediately after exposure in hairless mice significantly delayed skin tumor formation and hyperplasia induced by chronic exposure to UV radiation. Pregnant mice and rats were given daily oral doses of Ascorbic Acid up to 1000 mg/kg bw with no indications of adult-toxic, teratogenic, or fetotoxic effects. Ascorbic Acid and Sodium Ascorbate were not genotoxic in several bacterial and mammalian test systems, consistent with the antioxidant properties of these chemicals. In the presence of certain enzyme systems or metal ions, evidence of genotoxicity was seen. The National Toxicology Program (NTP) conducted a 2-year oral carcinogenesis bioassay of Ascorbic Acid (25,000 and 50,000 ppm) in F344/N rats and B6C3F(1) mice. Ascorbic Acid was not carcinogenic in either sex of both rats and mice. Inhibition of carcinogenesis and tumor growth related to Ascorbic Acid's antioxidant properties has been reported. Sodium Ascorbate has been shown to promote the development of urinary carcinomas in two-stage carcinogenesis studies. Dermal application of Ascorbic Acid to patients with radiation dermatitis and burn victims had no adverse effects. Ascorbic Acid was a photoprotectant in clinical human UV studies at doses well above the minimal erythema dose (MED). An opaque cream containing 5% Ascorbic Acid did not induce dermal sensitization in 103 human subjects. A product containing 10% Ascorbic Acid was nonirritant in a 4-day minicumulative patch assay on human skin and a facial treatment containing 10% Ascorbic Acid was not a contact sensitizer in a maximization assay on 26 humans. Because of the structural and functional similarities of these ingredients, the Panel believes that the data on one ingredient can be extrapolated to all of them. The Expert Panel attributed the finding that Ascorbic Acid was genotoxic in these few assay systems due to the presence of other chemicals, e.g., metals, or certain enzyme systems, which effectively convert Ascorbic Acid's antioxidant action to that of a pro-oxidant. When Ascorbic Acid acts as an antioxidant, the Panel concluded that Ascorbic Acid is not genotoxic. Supporting this view were the carcinogenicity studies conducted by the NTP, which demonstrated no evidence of carcinogenicity. Ascorbic Acid was found to effectively inhibit nitrosamine yield in several test systems. The Panel did review studies in which Sodium Ascorbate acted as a tumor promoter in animals. These results were considered to be related to the concentration of sodium ions and the pH of urine in the test animals. Similar effects were seen with sodium bicarbonate. Because of the concern that certain metal ions may combine with these ingredients to produce pro-oxidant activity, the Panel cautioned formulators to be certain that these ingredients are acting as antioxidants in cosmetic formulations. The Panel believed that the clinical experience in which Ascorbic Acid was used on damaged skin with no adverse effects and the repeat-insult patch test (RIPT) using 5% Ascorbic Acid with negative results supports the finding that this group of ingredients does not present a risk of skin sensitization. These data coupled with an absence of reports in the clinical literature of Ascorbic Acid sensitization strongly support the safety of these ingredients.

Administration, Oral↗

High-affinity sodium-vitamin C co-transporters (SVCT) expression in embryonic mouse neurons.

The sodium-vitamin C co-transporters SVCT1 and SVCT2 transport the reduced form of vitamin C, ascorbic acid. High expression of the SVCT2 has been demonstrated in adult neurons and choroid plexus cells by in situ hybridization. Additionally, embryonic mesencephalic dopaminergic neurons express the SVCT2 transporter. However, there have not been molecular and kinetic analyses addressing the expression of SVCTs in cortical embryonic neurons. In this work, we confirmed the expression of a SVCT2-like transporter in different regions of the fetal mouse brain and in primary cultures of neurons by RT-PCR. Kinetic analysis of the ascorbic acid uptake demonstrated the presence of two affinity constants, 103 microM and 8 microM. A K(m) of 103 microM corresponds to a similar affinity constant reported for SVCT2, while the K(m) of 8 microM might suggest the expression of a very high affinity transporter for ascorbic acid. Our uptake analyses also suggest that neurons take up dehydroascorbic acid, the oxidized form of vitamin C, through the glucose transporters. We consider that the early expression of SVCTs transporters in neurons is important in the uptake of vitamin C, an essential molecule for the fetal brain physiology. Vitamin C that is found at high concentration in fetal brain may function in preventing oxidative free radical damage, because antioxidant radical enzymes mature only late in the developing brain.

Animals↗

[Influence of gastric juice pH on the metabolism of vitamin C in gastric mucosa and juice].

UNLABELLED: Vitamin C is present as ascorbic acid (Asc) with antioxidative properties and as its oxidation product dehydroascorbic acid (dAsc). Asc is actively transported from blood to gastric juice where it prevents formation of carcinogenic nitrosamines and protects mucosa from reactive oxygen species. Another important function of gastric mucosa is proton pump-dependent secretion of hydrochloric acid. The pump maintains high pH gradient between gastric juice and plasma. The aim of the work was to analyse relations between gastric juice pH and concentrations of Asc and dAsc in plasma, gastric mucosa and juice as well as other factors modifying metabolism of vitamin C and function of gastric mucosa. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 31 patients were subjected to diagnostic endoscopy due to dyspepsia. Concentrations of Asc and dAsc were measured in plasma, gastric mucosa and juice with HPLC method. pH of gastric juice was determined. Histopathology examination of mucosa and urease test for Helicobacter pylori were performed. Data concerning dyspeptic symptoms and used drugs, including vitamin C preparations, were collected. RESULTS: Patients taking vitamin C preparations had significantly lower gastric juice pH values than the others (median 2.2 vs 5.4; p < 0.01). Treatment with vitamin C preparations was also associated with higher Asc concentrations in gastric juice (median 16.6 vs. 1.8 micromol/L; p < 0.09); the difference was statistically significant in the subgroup of patients with gastritis (median 16.6 vs. 0.1 micromol/L; p < 0.04). Strong negative correlations of pH with Asc (Rs = -0.67; p < 0.001) and dAsc (Rs = -0.48; p < 0.01) concentrations were observed in gastric juice. Positive correlation of pH and relative dAsc content expressed as percent of total vitamin C concentration in gastric juice was also statistically significant (Rs = +0.48; p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Performance of the proton pump and vitamin C metabolism in the stomach are closely mutually connected. Modification of hydrochloric acid secretion may affect gastric juice vitamin C concentration. Potentially disadvantageous influence of antisecretory drugs on the mechanisms of antioxidative protection in the stomach needs further investigation.

Ascorbic Acid↗

[Pro-oxidant and antioxidant homeostasis in guinea pigs following fractionated x-ray irradiation at low doses and the correction of disorders with an antioxidant complex].

The state of pro-oxidant-antioxidant homeostasis in guinea pigs exposed to whole-body fractionated X irradiation (5 fractions of 0.2 Gy at a 24 hr interval, up to total dose of 1.0 Gy, at a dose rate of 0.425 R/min) and a possibility of its disturbance correction with the complex of vitamins C, E and P was studied. Accumulation of primary and secondary lipid peroxidation products, decrease of the ascorbic acid content, increase of the content of its oxidized forms (dehydroascorbic acid and diketogulonic acid) in radiosensitive (spleen and small intestine) and radioresistant organs were found. Antioxidant complex administration reduced the disturbances of pro-oxidant-antioxidant homeostasis, but did not provide complete normalization.

Animals↗