Localization of the interference of ascorbic acid deficiency with bile acid biogenesis.

The catabolism of 26-14C-cholesterol and of 26-14C-7alpha-hydroxycholesterol, the first stage in the transformation of cholesterol to bile acids, was studied in guinea-pigs with chronic latent vitamin C deficiency. Vitamin C deficiency markedly inhibited the oxidation of 26-14C-cholesterol to 14CO2, but did not significantly affect the catabolism of 26-14C-7alpha-hydroxycholesterol. The distribution of 14C in the tissues and body fluids of control and vitamin-deficient guinea pigs injected with labelled 7alpha-hydroxycholesterol was likewise the same. Ascorbic acids is probably needed only for 7alpha-hydroxylation of cholesterol, while the other stages of bile acid biogenesis are independent of vitamin C.     

The influence of dietary protein on ascorbic acid metabolism in rats

1. d-Glucuronolactone reductase, l-gulonolactone oxidase, uronolactonase, dehydroascorbatase, l-gulonate dehydrogenase and l-gulonate decarboxylase have been measured in the tissues of rats fed on diets containing variable amounts of protein. Rats fed on a protein-free or a 2% casein diet for 15 days showed a marked decline in the activities of d-glucuronolactone reductase, l-gulonolactone oxidase, uronolactonase and dehydroascorbatase in the liver, and no change in l-gulonate dehydrogenase and l-gulonate decarboxylase activities in the kidney when compared with rats fed on diets containing 9%, 18% or 25% casein. Giving diets containing 60% or 88% casein to rats did not appreciably alter the activities of uronolactonase, dehydroascorbatase, l-gulonate dehydrogenase and l-gulonate decarboxylase, but inhibited considerably the activities of d-glucuronolactone reductase and l-gulonolactone oxidase in the liver, resulting in decreased synthesis of ascorbic acid. 2. Rats fed on a 25% casein diet showed maximal weight gain, higher tissue reserve of ascorbic acid and higher urinary excretion of both ascorbic acid and glucuronic acid when compared with rats fed on diets containing lower or higher amounts of protein.