STUDIES ON ASCORBIC ACID METABOLISM IN PROSTATIC TUMOR

Abstract

Ascorbic acid in blood and urine was determined at pre- and post-treatment (prostatectomy and hormone therapy) by dinitrophenylhydrazine method on 15 patients with prostatic tumor. The experiments were carried out by ascorbic acid tolerance test with 500mg of ascorbic acid.
1. Ascorbic acid, in general, at preoperation showed low level and much differences could not be found between prostatic hypertrophy and tumor by the mean value in blood and urine.
2. Much improvements could be found in ascorbic acid level at postoperation (3-4 weeks later) in prostatic hypertrophy, and the more supplies of ascorbic acid at postoperation showed the better improvements.
3. On the contrary, in prostatic tumor, no improvements could be found at postoperation. The excretion of ascorbic acid in urine was rather diminished and it would be expected to have a stimulating effect on metabolism.
4. No improvements could be found by the estrogen treatment and Co⁶⁰ therapy. These treatment would be suggested to have some effects on ascorbic acid metabolism.