The effects of various levels of ascorbic acid intake upon growth and organ weights of guinea pigs.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the systemic effects of varying levels of orally administered ascorbic acid during wound healing in guinea pig oral mucosa. Forty five Murphy/Hartley guinea pigs were randomly placed into four groups and fed an ascorbic acid deficient diet for 2 weeks. Each group of animals then received a daily oral supplement of the following doses of ascorbic acid: 0.5 mg, 5.0 mg, 50 mg, and 250 mg. All animals were weighed twice a week. Twenty eight days later, a standardized wound was made in the premaxilla. On day 35, all animals were sacrificed. Blood samples were evaluated for levels of ascorbic acid. Thirty nine samples showed insignificant levels of vitamin C, 32 of which showed no ascorbic acid. Organ to body weight ratios were calculated and compared. Spleen to body weight ratios were not affected by different ascorbic acid levels. High levels of ascorbic acid caused a significant increase in adrenal gland to body weight ratios. Varying the levels of ascorbic acid did not affect growth prior to surgical wounding. Increased levels of ascorbic acid enhanced body weight recovery post surgically.