Cholesterol: vitamin C controls its transformation to bile acids

Science. 1973 Feb 16;179(4074):702-4. doi: 10.1126/science.179.4074.702.

Abstract

Cholesterol accumulates in the blood serum and in the liver of guinea pigs with chronic latent vitamin C deficiency. The reason for this is the decreased rate of transformation of cholesterol to bile acids in the liver of animals deficient in vitamin C. A significant direct correlation exists between the vitamin C concentration in the liver and the rate of cholesterol transformation to bile acids.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Ascorbic Acid / metabolism*
  • Ascorbic Acid Deficiency / metabolism
  • Bile Acids and Salts / biosynthesis*
  • Biotransformation
  • Carbon Dioxide / biosynthesis
  • Carbon Isotopes
  • Cholesterol / blood
  • Cholesterol / metabolism*
  • Guinea Pigs
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Male
  • Spleen / metabolism

Substances

  • Bile Acids and Salts
  • Carbon Isotopes
  • Carbon Dioxide
  • Cholesterol
  • Ascorbic Acid