Ascorbic Acid and its Oxidation Products

A protective role for glutathione-dependent reduction of dehydroascorbic acid in lens epithelium.

Sasaki H; Giblin FJ; Winkler BS; Chakrapani B; Leverenz V; Shu CC. (1995) A protective role for glutathione-dependent reduction of dehydroascorbic acid in lens epithelium., Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci; 36(9):1804-17

Conclusions:

The exposure of lenses and lens epithelial cells to DHA under conditions in which the glutathione redox cycle was compromised resulted in the disappearance of GSH in the tissues and the appearance of GSSG. The reduction of DHA was shown to be linked to the glutathione redox cycle by a nonenzymatic interaction between GSH and DHA. Reduction of DHA in the lens is important because of the potential toxicity of this oxidant and/or its degradation products.