Some relations between ascorbic acid and glutathione

Abstract

ASCORBIC acid and glutathione are the most conspicuous and, so far as is at present known, the most active reducing substances in living tissues. In spite of the fact that their fundamental constitutions and physiological functions are so different they have certain qualities in common. Both agree for instance in the circumstance that though their reduced and oxidized forms may co-exist in a tissue, they form redox systems which are not thermodynamically but only chemically reversible. Though in a given case the function of either may be specific, as is that of glutathione in the glyoxalase system, other systems are known in which one can replace the other, probably because in such cases reducing power alone determines their influence. Doubtless other more specific kinetic functions may be revealed in the future. Meanwhile the question arises whether, as reducing substances with different redox potentials, they can exert combined activities, or display interrelations of importance. This paper deals with their mutual relations as displayed in paiticular circumstances.