Stress-induced change in tissue levels of ascorbic acid and histamine in rats.

Effects of acute immobilization stress on the metabolism of ascorbic acid and histamine were studied in rats by determining changes in the tissue levels of these substances. Stress provoked a significant rise in the histamine levels of blood, stomach, kidney, lung and skin. The serum ascorbic acid level increased rapidly, whereas the amount of the vitamin in the lung and skin was reduced by stress. The hepatic ascorbic acid levels were modulated biphasically; there was a decrease within 15 minutes after the onset of the stress regimen, followed by an increase occurring during the next 15 minutes. There was a gradual decrease in the amount of ascorbic acid in the adrenal glands with a marked transient accumulation of corticosterone in the tissues. Administration of histamine caused an increase in the serum level of ascorbic acid, while it led to a transitory decrease in the hepatic level of the vitamin. These results suggest that the metabolism of ascorbic acid is modulated in rats suffering from stress. These changes in ascorbic acid metabolism seem to be closely associated with the stress-induced alteration of histamine metabolism.