Carbon tetrachloride-induced alterations in hepatic glutathione and ascorbic acid contents in mice fed a diet containing ascorbate esters.

The effects of L-ascorbyl stearate and L-ascorbyl palmitate on carbon tetrachloride-induced alterations in glutathione and ascorbic acid content in mouse livers were investigated. Powdered food containing 1% ascorbate ester was given to mice for 3 days before and 1 day after a single injection of CCl4 (0.1 ml/kg, i.p.). Biochemical parameters were determined 1 day after the CCl4 administration. The ascorbate esters markedly attenuated CCl4-induced alterations such as reductions in ascorbate content and hepatic glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity, and increases in glutathione and calcium content and serum GST activity. The CCl4-induced rise in thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances, an index of lipid peroxidation, was not affected by ascorbate feeding. These findings suggest that exogenous ascorbate, in addition to endogenous glutathione, is available to maintain the intracellular milieu in a reduced state, and that this system operates more effectively in aqueous compartments than in membrane lipid bilayers.