Sex variation in ascorbic acid catabolism.

Male and female albino rats of same age and body weight were pair fed with laboratory stock diet and ascorbic acid, dehydroascorbic acid and diketogulonic acid were determined in the liver and urine, while in blood only ascorbic acid was estimated. Male rats had concentration higher of ascorbic acid in liver and urine as compared with females, while there were no significant variations in the contents of dehydroascorbic acid and diketogulonic acid. Hepatic and renal 2, 3-diketoaldonate decarboxylase, and hepatic dehydroascorbatase were also found to be significantly higher in male rats. Similar sex variations were also observed in ascorbic acid catabolism in guinea pigs without any differences in urinary ascorbic acid contents.

Leukocyte lipid profile in chronic alcoholics.

Polymorphonuclear leukocytic (PNML) lipid content was studied in chronic alcoholic and normal control subjects. Chronic alcoholic subjects showed abnormal liver function and abnormal serum lipid profile. PMNL obtained from chronic alcoholic subjects exhibited decreased free cholesterol and phospholipid contents, with a significant increase in cholesterol to phospholipid ratio. Although, there was no change in the free fatty acids, the levels of triglycerides were significantly elevated.

In vitro effect of certain compounds on the lysosomal release of polymorphonuclear leukocytes.

From studies on the release of acid phosphatase and B-glucuronidase, it was observed that quercetin, a vitamin P like compound and ascorbic acid stablise while dehydroascorbate, acetoacetate and B-hydroxybutyrate labilise the leukocytic lysosomes in vitro. These effects were compared with chloroquine and progesterone, known stabiliser and destabiliser, respectively. The possible mode of lysosomal labilisation by ketone bodies and dehydroascorbate has been suggested.