Identification of an ascorbic acid metabolite among "uremic middle molecules".

Among uremic toxins in the middle molecular mass range, 1H, 13C-nuclear magnetic resonance, ultraviolet spectrometry, and chromatographic analyses allow identification of the main component of the so-called "2-5-3 fraction" as ascorbic acid 2-sulfate, a conjugated metabolite of ascorbic acid. We previously (Clin Nephrol 1986;25:212-8) showed an inhibitory effect of the 2-5-3 fraction on microtubule formation. Therefore, we tested the action of ascorbic acid 2-sulfate and its synthetized enantiomers on tubulin polymerization. Because these molecules did not exert any inhibitory effect, we hypothesize that the 2-5-3 fraction is a mixture of compounds in which only a very low quantity of the inhibitory factor is present.