[Recent knowledge concerning the biochemistry and significance of ascorbic acid].

The ascorbic acid plays an important part by activation of hydroxylation reactions in various biosyntheses, such as in that of tropocollagen, bile acids and carnitine. It also considerably participates in the detoxication of compounds by hydroxylation and in the maintenance of the cytochrome P 450 contents in the liver. A sufficient supply is of importance for the absorption and accumulation of iron as well as for the efficiency of the immune system. After application of 14C-labelled ascorbic acid the compound is retained mainly in the brain, the salivary glands, the adrenal glands, the testes and in the eye lens. The largest contents of ascorbic acid lies in the pituitary gland, in the adrenal glands and in the eye lens. The need of ascorbic acid varies in man in dependence upon the state of development and the loads between 30 and 60 mg/die. In great smokers, after operations and traumas as well as when infections are present the intake of 100 to 200 mg a day are recommended. When more 1 g a day are taken the utilization decreases, the decomposition and the excretion, respectively, increase. A dose of more than 2 g a day inhibits the phagocytosis activity of leucocytes.