Ascorbic acid, dehydroascorbic acid and glutathione in liver disease.

Controlled studies were conducted to find out the plasma values of ascorbic acid, dehydroascorbic acid (DHA), urinary excretion of ascorbic acid and blood levels of glutathione in patients with viral hepatitis, alcoholic hepatitis, cirrhosis of liver and carcinoma of liver. Leucocyte ascorbic acid and DHA/AA index were also determined in order to assess the ascorbic acid status of these patients. It was observed that the plasma and leucocytes contents of ascorbic acid were significantly subnormal with markedly decreased urinary excretion in these patients. Decreased level of glutathione and significantly higher level of DHA reflect an over all reducing status of the body is markedly deranged in these conditions. Further it was observed that the DHA/AA ratios were significantly altered in these groups of patients.