Vitamin C status, serum cholesterol levels and bile composition in the pregnant guinea-pig

Abstract

1. Pregnant guinea-pigs receiving a low dose of L-ascorbic acid (0.2 mg/100 g body-weight per d) developed a hypercholesterolaemia in the third trimester of pregnancy, whereas no change in serum cholesterol levels was observed in pregnant animals receiving a higher dose of the vitamin (2 mg/100 g body-weight per d).2. Pregnancy in the group of guinea-pigs receiving the higher dose of L-ascorbic acid was associated with an increased biliary secretion of bile acids. No change was observed in the biliary secretion of bile acids in pregnant animals receiving the lower dose of L-ascorbic acid, but these animals secreted significantly more cholesterol.3. Changes in the biliary secretion of cholesterol and bile acids in the pregnant guinea-pig according to L-ascorbic acid intake were reflected in the composition of the gall-bladder bile. Thus, the gall-bladder bile of guinea-pigs receiving the lower dose of L-ascorbic acid contained more cholesterol, while the gall-bladder bile of those animals receiving the higher dose of the vitamin had a higher content of bile acids.4. The increased cholesterol content of the gall-bladder of pregnant guinea-pigs receiving the lower dose of L-ascorbic acid resulted in decreased bile acid:cholesterol and phospholipid: cholesterol values, conditions predisposing to cholelithiasis.

Role of Marginal Vitamin C Deficiency in Atherogenesis: In Vivo Models and Clinical Studies

“…These studies were conducted by Willis [17,18] and laid the foundation for later investigations of the effect of ascorbic acid on cholesterol metabolism [19–21]. In particular, Ginter et al recognized in a series of studies that deficiency of ascorbic acid affected the cholesterol metabolism resulting in an inverse relationship between vitamin C and the cholesterol levels in blood and liver [20,22–24]. An important aspect of this is the transformation of cholesterol to bile acids which takes place in the liver.…”

Effect of Dietary Ascorbic Acid, Cholesterol and PCB on Cholesterol and Bile Acid Metabolism in a Rat Mutant Unable to Synthesize Ascorbic Acid

“…Duane and Hutton (34) demonstrated that the short-term subclinical ascorbic acid deficiency near the scorbutic range has no significant effect on bile acid and cholesterol me tabolism in man. Moreover, Holloway and Rivers (35) and Jenkins (36) reported that there were no changes in bile acid metabolism in ascorbic acid-deficient guinea pigs.…”