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Biosynthesis of Vitamin C and a New Precursor

Nature volume 170, pages 545–546 (1952)Cite this article

Abstract

HEXOSE sugars and sugar acids have long been known to be concerned in the biosynthesis of vitamin C1–3, and it was also reported by Nath et al.4,5 that injection of acetoacetate causes an immediate rise of blood sugar in the rabbit and accelerates the biosynthesis of vitamin C in the animal system; although a higher dose of 180 mgm./kgm. causes about 50 per cent decrease in vitamin C in the blood of rabbits in half an hour, an increase to the extent of 500 per cent is observed in rats under identical conditions, thus indicating the enormous capacity of rats for the biosynthesis of vitamin C in their bodies, and showing at the same time the possibility of acetoacetate being concerned in the process too.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biochemistry, University, Nagpur,

    M. C. NATH, R. P. CHITALE & BHAVANI BELAVADY

Authors
  1. M. C. NATH
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  2. R. P. CHITALE
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  3. BHAVANI BELAVADY
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NATH, M., CHITALE, R. & BELAVADY, B. Biosynthesis of Vitamin C and a New Precursor. Nature 170, 545–546 (1952). https://doi.org/10.1038/170545a0

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