oxalates and Scurvy

Topics: Adult; Ascorbic Acid; Clinical Trials as Topic; Humans; Iron; Male; Oxalates; Oxidation-Reduction; Scurvy; Siderosis; South Africa

Radiolabelled U-14C oxalic acid uptake was measured in the intestine of scorbutic and ascorbic acid (AA) supplemented guinea pigs. The feeding of vitamin C deficient diet to the animals for 26 days resulted in a significant fall in the ascorbic acid levels in the various tissues studied. Supplementation of vitamin C (10, 25 or 50 mg per 200 g body weight) increased ascorbic acid levels of spleen, adrenals, liver and leucocytes. The intestinal uptake of oxalate follows a passive diffusion mechanism in normally fed guinea pigs. The oxalate uptake rate was significantly increased (p less than 0.001) in the vitamin C administered group. Vitamin C depletion significantly decreased the oxalate uptake rate as compared to control animals. The changes observed in the uptake rate appear to be related with the chemical aberrations produced in the brush border membranes.

Topics: Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Body Weight; Diet; Guinea Pigs; Intestinal Absorption; Male; Oxalates; Oxalic Acid; Scurvy; Tissue Distribution

Topics: Adult; Ascorbic Acid; Black People; Carbon Dioxide; Carbon Radioisotopes; Chromatography, Paper; Hemosiderosis; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Oxalates; Scurvy; South Africa; Time Factors