Reductive metabolism of ascorbic acid in the central nervous system

Dennis D. Pietronigro, Movses Hovsepian, Harry B. Demopoulos, Eugene S. Flamm

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

12 Scopus citations

Abstract

Rat and feline brain and feline spinal cord were examined for the presence of semidehydroascorbate reductase (EC 1.6.5.4) and dehydroascorbate reductase (EC 1.8.5.1). Semidehydroascorbate reductase (SDAR), as monitored by both ascorbyl radical-dependent nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) oxidase activity and NADH-dependent ascorbyl radical quenching, was present in all tissues studied. Rat cerebrum exhibited the highest levels and feline spinal cord the lowest. SDAR activity was about twice as high in feline cerebral cortex as in underlying white matter, and paralleled ascorbic acid levels. Subcellular fractionation of rat cerebrum localized most SDAR in a large granular fraction. In contrast, dehydroascorbate reductase was not detectable in any of the tissues examined. The results suggest that semidehydroascorbate reductase is the major enzyme catalyzing the regeneration of reduced ascorbic acid in the central nervous system.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)161-164
Number of pages4
JournalBrain research
Volume333
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 29 1985
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • ascorbic acid
  • central nervous system
  • metabolism

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Neuroscience
  • Molecular Biology
  • Clinical Neurology
  • Developmental Biology

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