Abstract
Summary
Possible mechanisms by which dietary aminopterin and sulfasuxidine decrease levels of liver ascorbic acid in the rat have been investigated. In previous studies an increased rate of ascorbic acid excretion after feeding aminopterin had been found not to occur. In the present studies, dietary aminopterin has been found not to induce an increased destruction of ascorbic acid by liver homogenate or a translocation of liver ascorbic acid to other organs. Also, aminopterin and sulfasuxidine do not depress liver ascorbic acid in guinea pigs receiving an adequate daily supply of ascorbic acid. Therefore, all of these findings are considered as evidence that aminopterin and sulfasuxidine decrease liver ascorbic acid of the rat by inhibiting the biosynthesis of the vitamin. Possible mechanisms of this inhibition are discussed.
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