Ascorbic acid and cortisol metabolism in hypovitaminosis C guineapigs.

The relationship between the metabolic changes in tissue ascorbic acid (AA) and the release of 11-hydroxy corticosteroids (cortisol) into the blood of male and female guineapigs fed on vitamin C-deficient diet, has been investigated. The animals received the diet for 30 and 36 days (males and females respectively) during which tissue AA and Corticol concentrations were analysed at six-day intervals. Bodyweight and adrenal weights were also recorded. When guineapigs are deprived of vitamin C in their diet, tissue cortisol and ascorbic acid concentrations undergo concurrent metabolic changes. There is a close association between the metabolic changes in adrenal cortisol secretion and ascorbic acid release into the plasma as shown by the regression and correlation values. Adrenal ascorbic acid concentration falls as cortisol secretion into the plasma increases. These results indicate that adrenal ascorbic acid operates a modulating role over the production of adrenal steroids during stress in guineapigs.