title: Ascorbic and dehydroascorbic acids status in rats fed diets varying in vitamin E levels.
abstract: Vitamin E, ascorbic and dehydroascorbic acids were determined in plasma and selected tissues of rats fed for 2-3 months different diets varying in vitamin E content. The diets contained as low as 5 IU for group LE, a normal amount of 50 IU for group NE and as high as 250 IU of vitamin E for group HE. Small increases in total vitamin C were observed only in liver, kidney, spleen and plasma with increased dietary levels of vitamin E, however, this was not followed by a substantial increment in the ascorbate/dehydroascorbate ratio. These differences were only observed between diets LE and HE; there was no correlation between vitamin E and vitamin C levels in the tissue. These data suggest that the interactions that readily take place in vitro between these two vitamins do not occur in vivo, probably due to the complexity of natural membranes.
authors.affiliation: Bureau of Nutritional Sciences, Food Directorate, Health Protection Branch, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: W A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Behrens
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Madère
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D003683:Dehydroascorbic Acid / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D004032:Diet; D008297:Male; D009928:Organ Specificity; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D014810:Vitamin E; D001205:Ascorbic Acid; D003683:Dehydroascorbic Acid