Stimulation of prostacyclin production by vitamin C in ram seminal vesicle microsomes: possible mode of action.

The enhancing effect of vitamin C on the conversion of arachidonic acid, endoperoxide G2 and endoperoxide H2 to 6-keto-PGF 1 alpha, the stable metabolite of prostacyclin, by ram seminal vesicle microsomes was further investigated. From the incubations of these substrates with 1-tryptophan, catalase, superoxide dismutase and 15-HPETE it became clear that vitamin C apparently acts mainly through neutralization of the oxidative species formed during the reduction of endoperoxide G2 to endoperoxide H2. Although it has also a more direct stimulating activity on the prostacyclin synthase, a possible interference with hydroperoxy derivatives of arachidonic acid cannot be completely ruled out.