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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 25, 2026

A Rapid and Specific Microplate Assay for the Determination of Intra- and Extracellular Ascorbate in Cultured Cells

A Rapid and Specific Microplate Assay for the Determination of Intra- and Extracellular Ascorbate in Cultured Cells

Published on: April 11, 2014

Ascorbic acid--important for iron metabolism.

Bissera D Atanassova¹, Kamen N Tzatchev

¹Department of Clinical Laboratory and Clinical Immunology, Medical Faculty, Medical University, Sofia 1 Georgi Sofiiski St., 1431 Sofia, Bulgaria.

|February 13, 2009

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) plays a key role in iron absorption by acting as an intracellular electron donor in the intestine. Its concentration influences whether it acts as a pro-oxidant or antioxidant, impacting iron homeostasis.

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Area of Science:

Biochemistry
Human Physiology
Nutritional Science

Background:

Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) is known to enhance dietary iron absorption.
Its precise molecular mechanism, particularly its intracellular role, has been a subject of research.

Purpose of the Study:

To elucidate the molecular mechanism of ascorbate's role in intestinal iron absorption.
To explore the dual pro-oxidant and antioxidant functions of ascorbate based on concentration.
To investigate the link between iron deficiency, vitamin C levels, and gender-related variations.

Main Methods:

Review of molecular cloning studies of duodenal brush-border reductase.
Analysis of animal and human studies on ascorbate's role in iron absorption.
Examination of the concentration-dependent redox properties of ascorbate.

Main Results:

Ascorbate acts as the intracellular electron donor for duodenal ferri-reductase, facilitating iron absorption.
Ascorbate exhibits concentration-dependent pro-oxidant (low concentration) and antioxidant (high concentration) activities.
Increased plasma ascorbate in iron deficiency, particularly in females, may explain gender-related variations in vitamin C levels.

Conclusions:

Ascorbate is crucial for intracellular iron absorption via ferri-reductase activity.
Vitamin C's concentration dictates its pro-oxidant or antioxidant role, influencing iron homeostasis.
Further research into Dcytb's role in liver and neutrophil defense suggests broader implications for vitamin C in iron regulation.