title: Vitamin C: electron emission, free radicals and biological versatility.
abstract: The many-sided biological role of vitamin C (ascorbate) is briefly illustrated by specific examples. It is demonstrated that in aqueous solutions, vitamin C emits solvated electrons (e(aq)(-)), when excited in single state. Vitamin C can also react with e(aq)(-) as well as transfer them to other biological systems and thereby acts as efficient electron mediator. Based on its chemical and biological properties, it is clear that vitamin C plays a very important role in various functions in the organism alongside biochemical processes.
authors.affiliation: Department for Nutritional Sciences, The University of Vienna, Section of Radiation Biology, Vienna, Austria. nikola.getoff@univie.ac.at
authors.forename: Nikola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Getoff
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000528:radiation effects; D004357:Drug Synergism; D004583:Electrons; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D005609:Free Radicals / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D006728:Hormones / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D016685:Mitomycin / Q000494:pharmacology; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D020011:Protective Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D014230:Triazoles / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; D005609:Free Radicals; D006728:Hormones; D020011:Protective Agents; D014230:Triazoles; C072690:AK 2123; D016685:Mitomycin; D001205:Ascorbic Acid
keywords: Vitamin C; ascorbate; cytostatica sensitizer; hormone regeneration; radiation protection; review; solvated electrons