EFFECTS OF COLD, ASCORBIC ACID, AND AGE ON “FORMALDEHYDE-INDUCED” ARTHRITIS IN THE WHITE RAT

Abstract

Ascorbic acid has been claimed to have a definite antirheumatic activity in humans. It has also been found to have a slight protective action against experimental arthritis in animals. We have been able to show that ascorbic acid has a definite and significant beneficial effect on the same disease in adult rats, but not in young animals. Moreover, our results show that the formalde hyde-induced arthritis is greatly aggravated by exposure to cold.