FATE OF ADRENAL ASCORBIC ACID: RELATIONSHIP TO CORTICOSTEROID SECRETION1

Abstract

The fate of ascorbic acid disappearing from the adrenal gland was studied in normal rats subjected to the stress of laparotomy and in hypophysectomized rats injected intravenously with a large dose of ACTH (0.5 I.U. per 100 g body weight). In both groups of animals the amount of this vitamin lost by the cannulated adrenal gland could be quantitatively recovered in the venous effluent. The release of ascorbic acid was essentially complete within 15 minutes under these circumstances of acute (and, probably, maximal) adrenocortical activation. In contrast, corticosterone secretion was relatively non-stimulated for the first 15 minutes but reached a maximum in the 15 to 30 minute period. The possible relationship of adrenal ascorbic acid to corticosteroid metabolism and ACTH action is discussed.