Influence of Ascorbic Acid on the Metabolic Actions of Cortical Hormones: Carbohydrate Metabolism

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Abstract
Insulin tolerance tests were done on adrenalectomized and on adrenal-demedullated rats in expts. designed to determine the influence of ascorbic acid on the actions of cortical hormones on carbohydrate metabolism. The urinary glucose and N were studied in phloridzinized-adrenalectomized rats for the above purpose. The data indicate that ascorbic acid enhances the insulin tolerance of cortisone-treated-adrenalectomized rats, and of corticotrophin-treated, adrenal-demedullated rats. The vitamin by itself does not affect insulin tolerance. The urine glucose and N data indicate that the increased glucose and N following cortisone are enhanced by ascorbic acid. The data are interpreted to indicate that the vitamin potentiates the gluconeo-genic action of cortical hormone(s).