Changes in ascorbic acid content in primary cultured rat hepatocytes exposed to 2,2 '-azobis (2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride, a radical initiator

Changes in ascorbate content in primary cultured rat hepatocytes exposed to oxidative stress derived from water soluble radical initiator 2,2'-azobis (2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (AAPH) were examined. Cells were exposed to 0.05 and 5 mg/ml of AAPH as 'mild' and 'severe' oxidative stresses, res pectively. Lipid peroxidation in hepatocytes was induced by 'severe' oxidat ive stress, but not by 'mild' oxidative stress. Ascorbate decreased at 6 hr after administration of both 'mild' and 'severe' oxidative stresses, and r ecovered to the control level after a further 6 hr. In cells treated with ' severe' oxidative stress, however, total ascorbate (reduced form plus oxidi zed form) had increased 24 hr after administration. These results indicated that consumption alone did not account for the increase of ascorbate in he patocytes under oxidative stress.