title: Long-term, high intake of vitamin C decreases size and increases quantity of liver mitochondria in Guinea-pigs.
abstract: Microsomal cytochrome P450 is an important enzyme involved in drug metabolism and bioactivation in the liver. In guinea-pigs, the specific amount of cytochrome P450 depends on dietary vitamin C intake. Short-term vitamin C treatment can induce non-genomic effects on hepatocytes, such  as activating mitochondrial respiration without changing cytochrome concentration. The aim of this investigation was to elucidate the long-term effects of a low or high vitamin C diet on the quantity and size of mitochondria in the hepatocytes of guinea-pigs. After 6 - 8 weeks of vitamin  C feeding, the group receiving a low vitamin C content in their food (10 mg/100 g food) had significantly less mitochondria, but of a larger size, than the group receiving a high vitamin C content (680 mg/100 g food). This animal model investigation demonstrated that treatment with long-term  vitamin C can induce morphological changes in the mitochondria of hepatocytes.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Maybachstrasse 14, 68169 Mannheim, Germany. martin.feuring@web.de
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Feuring
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Schultz
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hersemeyer
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000187:drug effects*; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D008930:Mitochondria, Liver / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D053142:Mitochondrial Size / Q000187:drug effects*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D001205:Ascorbic Acid