INFLUENCES OF ERYTHROCYTES AND OF LEUKOCYTES ON STABILITY AND TRANSFER OF ASCORBIC ACID IN HUMAN BLOOD 1

Abstract

From defibrinated blood erythrocytes with and without leukocytes were obtained. In an atmosphere of air, the deterioration of serum ascorbic acid is prevented by the presence of intact erythrocytes while it is rather enhanced by that of leukocytes. Under N, ascorbic acid added to serum is transferred to leukocytes but not to erythrocytes. Neither do the latter take up the vit. in an atmosphere of air. In serum, ascorbic acid is not bound to proteins, nor do different protein concs., obtained by ultracentrifuging, induce different rates of deterioration of serum ascorbic acid.