ASCORBATE SYNTHESIS-DEPENDENT GLUTATHIONE CONSUMPTION IN MOUSE-LIVER

Ascorbate synthesis causes glutathione consumption in the Liver, Addit ion of gulonolactone resulted in an increase of ascorbate production i n isolated murine hepatocytes. At the same time, a decrease in reduced glutathione (GSH) level was observed. In hepatic microsomal membranes , ascorbate synthesis stimulated by gulonolactone caused an almost equ imolar consumption of GSH. This effect could be counteracted by the ad dition of catalase or mercaptosuccinate, indicating the role of hydrog en peroxide formed during ascorbate synthesis in the depletion of GSH. The observed phenomenon may be one of the reasons why the evolutionar y loss of ascorbate synthesis could be advantageous.