The effect of ascorbic acid on the cerebral and adrenal catecholamine content in the male rat

Abstract

The intraperitoneal administration of ascorbic acid (500 mg/kg) to rats produces a significant decrease in the concentration of dopamine, and an increase in noradrenaline, in the cerebral hemispheres, cerebellum, diencephalon, mesencephalon and medulla oblongata. The only change in the concentration of adrenaline was a decrease observed in the cerebral hemispheres. Ascorbic acid produces an increase in the concentration of ascorbic acid in the brain; this rise was not observed in the adrenal medulla where the concentrations of catecholamines were also unchanged.