| Abstract: | Several constituents of serum and related substances were examined in order to find factors influencing ascorbate radical formation. Human ceruloplasmin and albumin catalyzed singly ascorbate oxidation and caused a remarkable increase in ESR intensity of the ascorbate radical. Although, however, the combination of these two factors showed synergic effects on catalysis of ascorbate oxidation, the radical intensity significantly decreased. Fibrinogen and fetuin showed inhibitory effects on catalysis of ascorbate oxidation, whereas transferrin, citric acid, or other related substances exhibited no effect. A new factor which inhibited ascorbate oxidation was found in a serum fraction. These results indicate there is a counterbalanced equilibrium in the redox process of ascorbate in serum and the intensity of ascorbate radical is influenced by the summation of the complicated effects of many factors. |
