Biomaterial Database

Metabolism of L-ascorbic acid in the prostate of normal and scorbutic guinea pigs. 1985

S Shah, and N Nath

Guinea pig prostate was found to actively participate in the biosynthesis and catabolism of ascorbic acid. The key ascorbic acid biosynthetic enzyme L-gulono-gamma-lactone oxidase and the other two lactonases were found to be present in guinea pig prostate. The activities of dehydroascorbatase and diketogulonate decarboxylase, the enzymes for ascorbic acid degradation, were also detected in guinea pig prostate. Male guinea pigs kept under scorbutic condition for 7, 14, 21 and 28 days, were examined for prostatic metabolism of ascorbic acid. A significant but gradual decrease in the concentration of L-ascorbic acid was observed in prostate, total blood and leukocytes with the progression of scorbutic condition. There was an appreciable decrease in the rate of lipid peroxidation under the scorbutic condition. In the tissue fraction of scorbutic guinea pigs, the activities of biosynthesizing enzymes, measured in vitro, under optimum conditions were found to be higher with no significant alterations in the catabolizing enzymes. The implications of these findings are discussed in this paper.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007962	Leukocytes	White blood cells. These include granular leukocytes (BASOPHILS; EOSINOPHILS; and NEUTROPHILS) as well as non-granular leukocytes (LYMPHOCYTES and MONOCYTES).	Blood Cells, White,Blood Corpuscles, White,White Blood Cells,White Blood Corpuscles,Blood Cell, White,Blood Corpuscle, White,Corpuscle, White Blood,Corpuscles, White Blood,Leukocyte,White Blood Cell,White Blood Corpuscle
D008054	Lipid Peroxides	Peroxides produced in the presence of a free radical by the oxidation of unsaturated fatty acids in the cell in the presence of molecular oxygen. The formation of lipid peroxides results in the destruction of the original lipid leading to the loss of integrity of the membranes. They therefore cause a variety of toxic effects in vivo and their formation is considered a pathological process in biological systems. Their formation can be inhibited by antioxidants, such as vitamin E, structural separation or low oxygen tension.	Fatty Acid Hydroperoxide,Lipid Peroxide,Lipoperoxide,Fatty Acid Hydroperoxides,Lipid Hydroperoxide,Lipoperoxides,Acid Hydroperoxide, Fatty,Acid Hydroperoxides, Fatty,Hydroperoxide, Fatty Acid,Hydroperoxide, Lipid,Hydroperoxides, Fatty Acid,Peroxide, Lipid,Peroxides, Lipid
D008297	Male		Males
D009929	Organ Size	The measurement of an organ in volume, mass, or heaviness.	Organ Volume,Organ Weight,Size, Organ,Weight, Organ
D011467	Prostate	A gland in males that surrounds the neck of the URINARY BLADDER and the URETHRA. It secretes a substance that liquefies coagulated semen. It is situated in the pelvic cavity behind the lower part of the PUBIC SYMPHYSIS, above the deep layer of the triangular ligament, and rests upon the RECTUM.	Prostates
D006168	Guinea Pigs	A common name used for the genus Cavia. The most common species is Cavia porcellus which is the domesticated guinea pig used for pets and biomedical research.	Cavia,Cavia porcellus,Guinea Pig,Pig, Guinea,Pigs, Guinea
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D001205	Ascorbic Acid	A six carbon compound related to glucose. It is found naturally in citrus fruits and many vegetables. Ascorbic acid is an essential nutrient in human diets, and necessary to maintain connective tissue and bone. Its biologically active form, vitamin C, functions as a reducing agent and coenzyme in several metabolic pathways. Vitamin C is considered an antioxidant.	Vitamin C,Ascorbic Acid, Monosodium Salt,Ferrous Ascorbate,Hybrin,L-Ascorbic Acid,Magnesium Ascorbate,Magnesium Ascorbicum,Magnesium di-L-Ascorbate,Magnorbin,Sodium Ascorbate,Acid, Ascorbic,Acid, L-Ascorbic,Ascorbate, Ferrous,Ascorbate, Magnesium,Ascorbate, Sodium,L Ascorbic Acid,Magnesium di L Ascorbate,di-L-Ascorbate, Magnesium
D012614	Scurvy	An acquired blood vessel disorder caused by severe deficiency of vitamin C (ASCORBIC ACID) in the diet leading to defective collagen formation in small blood vessels. Scurvy is characterized by bleeding in any tissue, weakness, ANEMIA, spongy gums, and a brawny induration of the muscles of the calves and legs.	Scorbutus,Hypoascorbemia,Hypoascorbemias,Scurvies