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Effect of Ascorbic Acid on Serum Cholesterol Levels and on Die-Away Curves of <sup>14</sup>C-4-Cholesterol in Baboons


JP Kotze
MJ Weight
WA de Klerk
IV Menne
MJA Weight

Abstract

Fourteen young male baboons (Papio ursinus) were divided into two groups. All the animals received the same dietary regimen during a 2½-month adaptation period. During the next 3 months one group received 250 mg and the other 20 mg vitamin C daily. For the last 2½ months of the experiment no vitamin C was given to the first group, and that of the second group was increased to 350 mg daily. Simultaneously with the switchover, 14C-4-cholesterol was administered. A classical twopool system for the kinetic behaviour of cholesterol in the body was confirmed. Vitamin C treatment did not alter the serum cholesterol levels significantly, but the production rate was repressed. It was also shown that vitamin C was depleted from the body in a typical two-pool fashion.

S. Afr. Med. J., 48, 1182 (1974).

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eISSN: 2078-5135
print ISSN: 0256-9574