Inhibiting Effect of Dehydroascorbic Acid on Cell Division in Ascites Tumors in Mice

Abstract

The transplantable murine ascites tumors, P388 leukemia and Ehrlich carcinoma, demonstrated complete inhibition of mitotic activity after treatment with dehydroascorbic acid in mice. Citric acid at the same pH value (2.4), however, showed no diminution of mitoses. Microscopic examination of the stained ascites exudate taken from the mice treated with 10 mg dehydroascorbic acid revealed few tumor cells and a pronounced increase in white blood cells, whereas the ascites tumor exposed to citric acid appeared normal.

Orthomolecular Oncology Review: Ascorbic Acid and Cancer 25 Years Later

“…27 Also, a growth inhibitory effect has been produced by ascorbate or its derivatives in at least 7 types of tumor cells. [28][29][30][31][32][33][34] While this inhibitory action was not observed in normal fibroblasts by some research groups, [28][29][30][31][32][33] other researchers have reported…”

“…Hydrogen peroxide reduces cellular levels of thiols and can initiate membrane lipid peroxidation. [28][29][30][31][32][33][34][50][51][52]63,[70][71][72][73] As mentioned previously, the antiproliferative action of ascorbate in malignant cultured cells, animal, and human tumor xenografts has been augmented by the addition of the cupric ion, a catalyst for the oxidation of ascorbate. 34,[39][40][41][74][75][76] In addition, the combination of ascorbate and copper has been shown to inactivate lactate dehydrogenase, 77 the enzyme responsible for the reduction of pyruvate to lactate (a metabolic dead-end product prevalent in anaerobic environments such as in cancer).…”

Characterization of dehydroascorbate‐mediated modification of glutaredoxin by mass spectrometry

“…Thus, it is highly likely that irreversible modifications of crucial cysteine residues inhibit enzymatic activity, modify function and structure of important cellular proteins possibly leading to destabilized cellular homeostasis. In this regard, protein S‐ascorbylation could explain in part the observed toxicity of DHA on certain tumors in vitro and in vivo . DHA is easily taken up by cells through glucose transporters 1 and 4 .…”

“…In this regard, protein Sascorbylation could explain in part the observed toxicity of DHA on certain tumors in vitro and in vivo. [14,[59][60][61][62] DHA is easily taken up by cells through glucose transporters 1 and 4. [7] Because of the high demand of energy by cancer cells, they show a higher expression of GLUT than normal cells, together with an abnormally high rate of glycolysis and associated high antioxidant activity.…”

Influence of Vitamins C and B₁₂ on the Survival Rate of Mice Bearing Ascites Tumor

“…P388 leuke mia and Ehrlich carcinoma after treatment with a mixture of vitamins C and B^, with no apparent toxic side-effects. More recently the author [ 17] reported that cell division was inhibited in two ascites tumors after injec tions of dehydroascorbic acid in mice. It seemed important, therefore, to investigate the effect of the vitamins on the longevity of mice bearing ascites tumors.…”