[Formation of iron complexes with ascorbic acid in physiological conditions in vitro and in tissue in vivo]

Rapid dissociated Fe(III)-ascorbic acid complexes are formed after the mixing of Fe(II) (100 mkM) with ascorbic acid (1 mM) at pH-7,4. As a result of these complexes formation Fe(II) concentration was decreased in solution, but o-phenantrolin addition or pH decreased up to 6.1 lead to the destruction of these complexes and reduction of iron up to Fe(II). Iron-ascorbic acid paramagnetic complexes were not observed in the perfused rat liver homogenate. Probably, these facts were due to the presence of other stronger reductants in the tissue.