Dehydroascorbic acid reduction in several tissues and cultured hepatocytesof the chicken

Dehydroascorbic acid, the oxidized form of ascorbic acid, is rapidly reduce d to ascorbate in living organs (ascorbate recycling). We examined the GSH- dependent dehydroascorbate reductase activity in several tissues of the chi cken. The activity was highest in the liver, and second highest in the brai n. The activity was localized in the cytosol fraction of the liver. We subs equently examined the dehydroascorbate reduction in separated chicken hepat ocytes. The cellular ascorbate concentration was elevated in dehydroascorba te-treated cells. It is thought that hepatocytes incorporated external dehy droascorbate and converted it into ascorbate. These findings suggest that t he liver plays an important role in ascorbate recycling by the chicken.