SummaryThe effects of L-ascorbate 2-sulfate (AAS) on the lipid metabolism were examined in Triton-induced hyperlipemic mice, hyper cholesterolemic and normal rats, the following results being obtained. 1) In Triton-induced hyperlipemic mice, AAS (300mg/kg) significantly decreased the serum cholesterol level, while L-ascorbate (AA, 175mg/kg) was found ineffective.2) In hypercholesterolemic rats fed 0.5% cholester ol diet, the consecutive administration of AAS decreased the level of serum cholesterol and liver triacylglycerols. AA only slightly affected these levels. However, both AAS and AA prevented the unordinal increase in the liver weight caused by cholesterol feeding. 3) In normal rats, the administration of AAS over a 4-week period decreased the level of serum cholesterol and liver triacylglycerols.It is well known that sulfated polysaccharides have various pharmacological effects, such as being antipeptic (1) and anticoagulant (2) and having lipid lowering actions (3). In the course of the pharmacological study on sulfated monosac charides, we have found that L-ascorbate 2-sulfate (AAS) possesses an antipeptic (unpublished data) and cholesterol-lowering activity (4). The present paper deals with the effects of AAS on the lipid metabolism in the liver and serum from the Triton-treated mice, cholesterol-fed rats and normal rats.
MATERIALS AND METHODSExperiment with Triton-induced hyperlipemic mice. Male mice of ddy strain, weighing 18-22 g, were divided into 7 groups of 10 animals each. Triton WR-1339 (800mg/kg, in saline) was intravenously administered into the tail vein to all animals, and simultaneously, AAS (300, 150, 75mg/kg), AA (300, 150mg/kg), 201