Abstract: | Treatment with emetine lowered the ascorbic acid concentrations of serum, liver and kidney, while the ascorbic acid concentration of adrenal tissue remained unaffected. The ability of the liver to synthesize (-)-ascorbic acid from (+)-glucuronolactone was also reduced after emetine treatment. The reduced concentration of ascorbic acid in liver and serum after emetine treatment may result from the diminished synthesis of ascorbic acid by the liver. |