342 



ASCORBIC ACID 



activity and fragility of these cells. The ascorbic acid content of the exudate 

 varied between and 1.25 mg. per 100 ml. of exudate. They found that 

 the percentage of cells showing phagocytosis has a direct relation to the 

 ascorbic acid content. With levels from to 0.25 mg. per 100 ml. only 30 

 to 35 % of the cells showed phagocytosis; with 1 to 1.25 mg. per 100 ml. of 

 exudate 80 to 90 % of the cells were active. They also found that the fragility 

 of the cells bore an inverse relationship to the ascorbic acid level of the 

 exudate. Their results are shown graphically in Fig. 3. 



The results of the investigations herein cited leave little doubt of a stimu- 

 latory effect of ascorbic acid on phagocytic activity. 



90 



too 



10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 

 Per cent cells stiowing rupture or phagocytosis 



Fig. 3. The relationship between ascorbic acid and phagocytic activity. (W. J. 

 Nungester and A. M. Ames^'.) 



b. Virus Diseases 



The inhibition of virus growth by ascorbic acid has been reported by 

 several investigators. Jungeblut^^^ reported a virucidal action of the vitamin 

 on poliomyelitis virus in monkeys. Synthetic ascorbic acid was less effective 

 than the naturally occurring vitamin, possibly because of associated flavo- 

 noids. Lojkin*®^ observed that ascorbic acid in concentrations of 0.03 mg. 

 per milliliter caused inactivation of tobacco mosaic virus when the vitamin 

 in the virus solution was oxidized by atmospheric oxygen. The presence of 

 copper stimulated the reaction, llokkni and Molloy^*"'^^ reported that herpes 



^86 C. W. Jungeblut, J. Exptl. Med. 66, 459 (1937). 



"7 M. Lojkin, Contribs. Boyce Thompson Inst. 8, 335 (1936). 



"8 M. Holden and E. Molloy, /. Immunol. 33, 251 (1937). 



I 



