Abstract
The effect on the metabolism of p-hydroxyphenyl pyruvic acid was determined in 11 patients with liver disease (mainly hepatitis and cirrhosis) given a number of substances. Whereas ACTH, DOCA, vitamin K, vitamin B12, folic acid, citrovorum factor, liver extract, methyl thiouracil and calcium thiosulfate had no effect, 1-ascorbic acid and d-isoascorbic acid caused increased breakdown of the test substance. In all cases the side chain was modified, and in 3 instances, the benzene ring was split. Ascorbic acid thus occupies a key position in the metabolism of tyrosine, but the mode of action of ascorbic acid remains unclarified.

This publication has 1 reference indexed in Scilit: