Influence of vitamin C status on the urinary excretion of catecholamines in stress.
A group of volunteers on a low intake of ascorbate was compared with another group supplemented with 3 g of ascorbate daily with regard to urinary excretion of catecholamines and cortisol after exposure to a specified stressor. The low-dose group excreted less adrenaline than the high-dose group, whereas excretion of dopamine, noradrenaline and cortisol was largely unchanged. This effect may indicate another role in vivo of vitamin C in the biosynthesis of catecholamines besides that of a cofactor to a specific enzyme. The results suggest a role for ascorbate in an adequate response to stress.
D000328:Adult; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000502:physiology; D002395:Catecholamines / Q000378:metabolism / Q000652:urine*; D003119:Color Perception Tests; D004298:Dopamine / Q000652:urine; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000652:urine; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000652:urine*; D008297:Male; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000652:urine; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000652:urine*
D002395:Catecholamines; D001205:Ascorbic Acid; D004298:Dopamine; D006854:Hydrocortisone; D009638:Norepinephrine; D004837:Epinephrine