Role of exogenous ascorbic acid in tissue status of ascorbic acid-2-sulphate in guinea pigs.

Guinea pigs were given ascorbic acid orally in two doses; a low and a high dose. The tissue levels of ascorbic acid-2-sulphate was estimated in these animals after 15 days of feeding and a subsequent deprivation period of 15 days. The specific activity of the enzymes ascorbic acid sulphotransferase and ascorbic acid-2-sulphate sulphohydrolase was studied. During higher ascorbic acid intake, the activity of ascorbic acid sulphotransferase was increased, whereas ascorbic acid-2-sulphate sulphohydrolase showed a decreased activity. But when ascorbic acid intake was lowered or ceased, the activity of the above enzymes showed a reverse pattern. Possible reasons for the lack of antiscorbutic activity of ascorbic acid-2-sulphate in guinea pigs is discussed.