EFFECT OF HORMONES ON DEHYDROASCORBIC ACID 261 3. Taking into account the specificities of the two methods and the reactions they involve, it is difficult to explain such results except as being due to the presence of dehydroascorbic acid. These procedures do not suggest the presence of diketogulonic acid in human plasma. 4. The administration of adrenocorticotropic hormone to human subjects resulted in a rise in the concentration of plasma total ascorbic acid and of plasma ascorbic acid with a diminution in the concentration of plasma dehydroascorbic acid 2-4 hr. after intramuscular injection. 5. The oral administration of cortisone to human subjects resulted in no rise in the concentration of plasma total ascorbic acid, but in a rise in ascorbic acid of such a magnitude that dehydroascorbic acid temporarily disappeared from the plasma 05-2 hr. after administration. 6. The significance of these alterations is discussed both with respect to the origin of the increment of total ascorbic acid appearing in the plasma and to the mechanisms involved in the reduction of dehydroascorbic acid to ascorbic acid. Wewishto thank the Medical Research Councilfora grant which helped to defray the cost of materials and technical assistance as well as for a supply of hormones. Note added in proof. In a few experiments it has now been found that, following the administration of cortisone or ACTH and coincident with the resulting diminution of the plasma dehydroascorbic acid concentration, there is a decrease in the reduced glutathione concentration of the whole blood. When, later, the original dehydroascorbic acid concentration is restored, the reduced glutathione of the blood also increases. The sum of the reduced and oxidized glutathione remains constant throughout.
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