[Effect of massive doses of ascorbic acid on oxidative and glycolytic processes in the tissues].

Ascorbic acid in a dose of 500 mg/kg was given perorally to guinea pigs once in 24 hours. Investigations were carried out on animals receiving ascorbic acid in single doses and also with its administration of 7, 14, 21, 60 and 90 days. Subject to studies were tissue respiration and glycolysis of the skin, liver and kidneys as well as oxidative phosphorylation in hepatic homogenates. With introduction of large doses of ascorbic acid the tissue respiration of the kidneys and the effectiveness of oxidative phosphorylation in the liver were found to be on the increase. Both effects depended on the time during which massive doses of ascorbic acid were administered. The liver and kidney glycolysis did not show any changes with any duration of the ascorbic acid loading. The skin glycolysis intensity gained somewhat in strength with ascorbic acid administration for 21 days.