The failure of ascorbic acid therapy to alter the induction or remission of murine amyloidosis.

It has been claimed that ascorbic acid enhances the in vitro degradation of AA amyloid fibrils. This raises the possibility that ascorbic acid may be of benefit in systemic AA amyloidosis, a condition with serious morbidity and mortality for which there is as yet no specific treatment. The effect was therefore tested of oral or injected supplements of ascorbic acid on the induction of AA amyloidosis in mice. Amyloid was induced either by repeated injections of casein or by injection of 'amyloid enhancing factor' and silver nitrate. Mice with established amyloidosis were also treated with additional ascorbic acid. Despite the fact that plasma ascorbic acid levels were significantly higher in orally supplemented mice than in controls there was no demonstrable effect on the induction, the extent and distribution or the progression of amyloidosis.