Ascorbate synthesis-dependent glutathione consumption in mouse liver.

Ascorbate synthesis causes glutathione consumption in the liver. Addition of gulonolactone resulted in an increase of ascorbate production in isolated murine hepatocytes. At the same time, a decrease in reduced glutathione (GSH) level was observed. In hepatic microsomal membranes, ascorbate synthesis stimulated by gulonolactone caused an almost equimolar consumption of GSH. This effect could be counteracted by the addition of catalase or mercaptosuccinate, indicating the role of hydrogen peroxide formed during ascorbate synthesis in the depletion of GSH. The observed phenomenon may be one of the reasons why the evolutionary loss of ascorbate synthesis could be advantageous.