Lacrimal gland uptake and metabolism of ascorbic acid.

Ascorbic acid is thought to contribute to protection against the potentially damaging effects of radiation, oxygen toxicity, and abrasion in the eye. The anterior surface of the cornea is particularly subject to insult from each threat. We considered the possibility that the lacrimal gland of pigs has transport and/or metabolic capability to sequester the reduced or oxidized form of ascorbic acid and prepare it for secretion in the tears. Slices of fresh lacrimal gland were incubated in a physiologic buffer and exposed to < or = 12 microM 14C-labeled ascorbic acid or dehydro-l-ascorbic acid over 40-min incubation periods. Dehydro-l-ascorbic acid was taken up to a greater extent than the reduced compound. 14C-Label recovered from the tissue was at least 75% in the form of ascorbic acid after incubation with either substrate. Uptake of both the reduced and oxidized substrates proceeded to a tissue to medium ratio in excess of unity; the former was prevented by the presence of nonlabeled ascorbate in the bathing medium, but was unaffected by the removal of Na+ from the bath. The uptake of both substrates was less after inhibition of cellular metabolic energy. The lacrimal gland in this diurnal animal species has transport and metabolic capabilities that could serve in secretion of ascorbic acid into tears. This might help to protect the corneal epithelium against various forms of damage.