ASCORBIGEN AS A PRECURSOR OF 5,11-DIHYDROINDOLO[3,2-B]CARBAZOLE

The formation of 5,11-dihydroindolo[3,2-b]carbazole, a polyaromatic hy drocarbon responsiveness-receptor agonist as well as an anti-initiator and promoter of carcinogenesis, from ascorbigen under conditions of c hemical synthesis and during incubation with gastric juice at physiolo gical conditions, is demonstrated. Ascorbigen, rather than indole-3-ca rbinol, is the most important indole derivative for the enzyme-inducin g effects of dietary cruciferous vegetables. The concentration of asco rbigen in these vegetables is at least five times (in molar ratio) hig her than that of indole-3-carbinol.