Tissue-mediated regeneration of ascorbic acid: is the process enzymatic?
Ascorbic acid's function in animals is attributed in part to the ease with which it reduces potentially damaging components, such as reactive free radicals. After more than six decades of speculation and laboratory efforts, the mechanisms by which ascorbic acid is maintained in the useful, reduced state remain uncertain. Previous attempts to isolate the enzymes that reduce the partially and the fully oxidized metabolites of vitamin C are reviewed. Some speculation on why dehydroascorbate reductase (EC 1.8.5.1) has not been purified from animal tissues is presented.
Rose
R C
RC
Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Chicago Medical School, Ill.
Bode
A M
AM
D000818:Animals; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000378:metabolism*; D003683:Dehydroascorbic Acid / Q000378:metabolism*; D005609:Free Radicals; D006801:Humans; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D010088:Oxidoreductases / Q000378:metabolism
D005609:Free Radicals; D010088:Oxidoreductases; C020666:glutathione dehydrogenase (ascorbate); D001205:Ascorbic Acid; D003683:Dehydroascorbic Acid