294 ASCORBIC ACID 



and changes in the albumin/globuhn ratio become of special importance 

 in connection with the blood clotting problem. There is, in fact, considerable 

 evidence that the albumin/glol)ulin ratio becomes depressed in scurvy, 

 Boger and Schroeder'" studied the blood proteins in scurvy, then injected 

 ascorbic acid and 3 to 4 days later again determined the proteins. An ap- 

 preciable increase occurred in the albumin fraction. Ciatti and Auerbach^^^ 

 found an increase in blood proteins in guinea pigs with scurvy but the in- 

 crease was confined to the globulin fraction. The albumin decreased, causing 

 an appreciable change in the ratio. Garta^^^ found a depression in the al- 

 bumin/globulin ratio but no characteristic changes in total protein. Ad- 

 ministration of large doses of ascorbic acid caused a rise in the ratio and 

 also a rise in the total protein. Salmon and May^^* reported that total plasma 

 protein did not appear to be altered in scurvy in monkeys. 



Linneweh and Gen^^" studied hypoproteinemia and hypocalcemia in dogs 

 and found that the calcium level depends upon the albumin ratio in the 

 blood. It would be of interest to know if this relation between calcium and 

 albumin also exists in guinea pig blood. If such were found, a functional 

 relation between calcium and ascorbic acid would possibly be indicated. 



d. Summary of the Effects of Scurvij on the Circulatory System 



Lack of ascorbic acid produces disturbances in the circulatory system. 

 The vessels, the blood, and, to some extent, the clotting mechanism are all 

 affected. Histological changes in the capillaries have not been observed al- 

 though alterations affecting permeability as a result of swelling and conges- 

 tion may possibly occur. The effect of lack of the vitamin on the intercellu- 

 lar cement of the capillaries has not been definitely determined. The 

 hemorrhagic areas seen in scurvy may result from a weakening of the con- 

 nective tissue sheath surrounding the blood vessels. Definite changes in 

 blood pressure have not been found. Changes in the blood itself include a 

 decrease in volume, hemoglobin, number of red cells, and lymphocytes, 

 with a tendency to increase in number and decrease in activity of the poly- 

 morphonuclear cells. The clotting time is either not changed or is slightly 

 increased in scurvy, and the fibrinogen is definitely increased. The blood 

 level of calcium does not change although definite changes occur in the cal- 

 cium metabolism of the tissues. There tends to be a diminution of plasma 

 proteins and a reduction in the albumin/globulin ratio. 



1" A. Boger and H. Schroder, Klin. Wochschr. 13, 842 (1934). 



'" P. Ciatti and R. Auerbach, Riv. din. pediat. 34, 385 (1936). 



">9 I. Carta, Biochem. Z. 290, 364 (1937). 



»6« F. Linneweh, F. Cen, and S. Cen, Monatschr. Kinderheilk. 83, 337 (1940). 



