title: Effects of ascorbate on myogenesis in micromass culture.
abstract: Micromass cultures from stage 23 and 24 chick wing mesenchyme were grown in serum-containing medium with or without additional ascorbic acid. It was found that ascorbic acid administered as a single pulse or present continuously throughout culture, in concentrations as low as 25 micrograms/ml, was sufficient to abolish 80% of myogenesis as assessed by immunolocalization using muscle-specific antibodies. This effect was not significantly altered when cultures were maintained in a serum-free medium that promotes myogenesis. In contrast to the above findings, spectrophotometric analysis of accumulated sulphated glycosaminoglycans, an indicator of chondrogenesis, was elevated by ascorbate treatment. Furthermore, a similar level of glycosaminoglycan stimulation was found in ascorbate treated stage 23 distal-tip limb cultures that were essentially free of myogenic cells. We conclude, therefore, that the presence of myoblasts in whole-limb cultures has no appreciable inhibitory effects on chondrogenesis.
authors.affiliation: University Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University College and Middlesex School of Medicine, Stanmore, England.
authors.forename: C W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Archer
authors.forename: C P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Cottrill
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002356:Cartilage / Q000166:cytology; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002642:Chick Embryo; D003470:Culture Media; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans / Q000096:biosynthesis; D009132:Muscles / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D003470:Culture Media; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans; D001205:Ascorbic Acid