Studies on the distribution of (1-14C) ascorbic acid and (1-14C) dehydroascorbic acid in guinea pigs after oral application
Hornig, D.; Weber, F.; Wiss, O.
International Journal for Vitamin and Nutrition Research. Internationale Zeitschrift für Vitamin- und Ernahrungsforschung. Journal International de Vitaminologie et de Nutrition 44(2): 217-229
1974
ISSN/ISBN: 0300-9831 PMID: 4854482 Document Number: 82414
Guineapigs on a vitamin C-deficient diet supplemented with ascorbic acid 2 g/kg diet or without the supplement for 17 days were given by mouth 1 ml of a solution of ascorbic acid-1-14C or dehydroascorbic acid-1-14C. Animals were killed after 10 min, 2, 10 and 24 h and 6 days and the distribution of radioactivity in tissues was estimated by autoradiography. In general, radioactivity was taken up by tissues faster from labelled ascorbic acid, but after dehydroascorbic acid intake radioactivity was present for longer periods in the gastrointestinal tract and the delay in uptake was particularly evident in pituitary and adrenal glands; the delay is attributed to reduction of dehydroascorbic to ascorbic acid, possibly in blood cells because there was evidence that the pattern of distribution of dehydroascorbic acid progressively resembled that of ascorbic acid. Tissues which accumulated most ascorbic acid at the fastest rate included pituitary and adrenal glands, central nervous system, testes, pancreas and eye lens. Guineapigs deprived of vitamin C showed no significant difference from normal animals in distribution of labelled material but the appearance of radioactivity in tissues was retarded, except in pancreas and lens in which affinity for radioactivity was higher in deprived than in normally fed guineapigs. The radioactive material in the tissues was shown to be labelled ascorbic acid only.