On the possible involvement of ascorbic acid and copper proteins in leukemia: II. Electron spin resonance (ESR) and atomic absorption investigations on erythrocyte ghosts and plasma.

The effect of ascorbic acid on white ghosts of erythrocytes and plasma has been investigated by means of ESR spectroscopy. Since the spectra obtained are identical to the one obtained with leukemic blood it is concluded that the receptor for vitamin C has to be searched for in membrane and plasma as well. Determination of Cu and Fe by means of atomic absorption spectroscopy revealed that both of the metals are also present in the membrane. In the case of copper, it must exist there as a protein which has not been identified yet. Oxidizing substances, such as KMnO4, reverse the effect produced by ascorbic acid.