Influence of vitamin C status on the urinary excretion of catecholamines in stress.

A group of volunteers on a low intake of ascorbate was compared with another group supplemented with 3 g of ascorbate daily with regard to urinary excretion of catecholamines and cortisol after exposure to a specified stressor. The low-dose group excreted less adrenaline than the high-dose group, whereas excretion of dopamine, noradrenaline and cortisol was largely unchanged. This effect may indicate another role in vivo of vitamin C in the biosynthesis of catecholamines besides that of a cofactor to a specific enzyme. The results suggest a role for ascorbate in an adequate response to stress.