THE SIGNIFICANCE OF ASCORBIC-ACID FOR CELL-FUNCTIONS, GROWTH, REPRODUCTION, IMMUNE-SYSTEM AND WOUND-HEALING - A REVIEW

Ascorbic acid is active as an antioxidant, as a cofactor of several en zymes as well as a regulator for the secretion of cortisol resp. of th e transcription (f. e. for the differentiation of the cells of the mes enchyme). The concentration in the blood plasma is dependent of the ma gnitude of the biosynthesis and of the utilization. Ascorbic acid is n ecessary for the formation and maturation of spermatozoa and oocytes a nd stimulates the by mitogens induced division of lymphocytes as well as the decomposition of bacteria in phagocytes. After surgical operati ons the content in plasma and leucocytes often diminishes. For the adv ancement of the wound repair and for the stimulation of the immune sys tem in infectious diseases preparations of the vitamins A, D and E com bined with ascorbic acid are recommendable.